Where do you draw the line between

where do you draw the line between

- useful symbolic rituals/gestures and blindly following traditions

where do you draw the line between:

- blowing your own trumpet and saying "Look what I did!"

and needing to simply be accountable and state this is the facts of the project I'm busy with. 

where do you draw the line between

- giving up 

and - realizing this is not for me, I need to do something else. 

where do you draw line between

- being worried and not trusting, and being concerned for something but trusting God for the outcomes still. 

Where do you draw the line between

- encouraging someone to be part of a project, and manipulating them to be part of it even if they are too busy already, or can't see their gifts/talents being useful in this project

where do you draw the line between

- being a health freak, and simply being healthy and taking care of your body's need with nutrition and exercise. 

where do you draw the line between

- being lazy, and simply resting and recharging your batteries for the week/s ahead. 

where do you draw the line between

- being selfish, and being honest with "I really do not have the financial/ mental/ emotional/ physical resources to be able to help you with whatever help you need, Or I believe these resources that I am willing to share would be more helpful, and is more needed elsewhere. 

where do you draw the line between

- being naive and being ignorant and being gullible

where do you draw the line between

- paranoid, and simply being watchful and careful where you are/ what you do/ what you show/ being aware of your surroundings. 

where do you draw the line between

- being a church-goer christian (pharisee) and being a follower of Jesus Christ

where do you draw the line between

- not paying attention, and being distracted because your mind is focused on something else (which could be/ could not be more important)

where do you draw the line between

 - being a friendly courteous good-mannered person, and being flirty friendly

where do you draw the line between

- simply taking care of your property, and spending so much time and effort and money in upgrading/ cleaning/ maintaining/ etc it that it becomes an idol and not really serving a purpose

where do you draw the line between

- real hope and naive optimism

where do you draw the line between

 - convincing someone of the truth, and manipulating them to see your viewpoint

The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16)

The Philippian jailer (Acts 16)

Paul and Silas

Sharing the gospel

Demon in slave-girl proclaims

these people have the truth

Harassment for many days

Paul Commands

In the name of Jesus

Demon flees

The owners furious

their questionable gain gone

Paul and Silas thrown in jail

Feet in stocks, Doors locked

At midnight jailer shocked

He never heard singing prisoners before

Suddenly the earth shook

Jail doors opened

The jailer in fear

almost his life he took

Paul stops him

Do not harm yourselves

we are all still here

Trembling with fear

He begs them

"sirs what must I do to be saved?"

The gospel shared with his household

Jailer believed, and baptized

Everyone rejoiced

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Do you have a right to give advice

you so freely give your advice

or criticism to all

but so far

all you did yourself

is to sit on the seat

and did not even sweat

did not even bother to even walk beside

all you do it sit and shout

but on your shirt so neat

was not even found a drop of sweat or blood

not even a bit of dust

so to your advice my dear

I will not bother to listen

Until you yourself get up do something yourself

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Who are you trying to fool?

Who are you trying to fool? 

You paint your mask on

Thinking you can fool someone

But you can't hide anything from God

People you might be able to fool

and they think you have it together

But just ask Achan how hiding worked out for him

thinking nobody saw his sin

Just to be humiliated and stoned before all

Because God said who you trying to fool

What you sow you will reap

You plant a "fake Christianity" seeds

and you will reap the rewards of 

"I never knew you!"

Who are you trying to fool?

People can only see skin-deep

and maybe later on some might see your fruit

or lack thereof

But God knows what it is that you are planting

and He will reward you for what you sow

Because only He knows what is in your heart

Make right with Him for real, 

not by wearing a mask so fake

to fool people whose opinion don't matter

in whose nostrils is but a breath

and they themselves one day

will have to give account for their own masks or true fruit

Who are you trying to fool? 

(For ref: Galatians 6:7-8;  Joshua 7; Psalm 44: 20-21 ) 

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Two Prophets

Two Prophets

One reluctant; One obedient to death

One shared grace with Nineveh; One offers grace for all the World

one spent three days in a fish-belly; One spent three days in the belly of a tomb

Both came out after three days

Both came from Galilee

One points to the Other who came after him

the One being the Promised Messiah who came

Jonah and Jesus

(For Reference Matthew 12: 38-42)  

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Just Because......

Just because

Just because I helped you the one time that I could, doesn't mean I always can do it, or always should

Just because you go to a church doesn't make you a christian

Just because I gave you a hug, doesn't make you a super-close friend of mine

Just because my bra-strap might be sticking out from under my shirt doesn't mean I'm not dressed modestly

Just because you can do it, doesn't make it the best or the right thing to do. 

Just because someone says they will pray for you, that they necessarily will do it 

Just because someone says they care, that they really do. 

Just because you can afford it financially, doesn't mean you should do it. 

Just because you think it is a good thing to do, doesn't make it the right thing to do. 

Just because you have my phone number doesn't mean you should send me a message everyday

Just because it is legal doesn't make it right

Just because someone is against you, doesn't mean you are in the wrong. 

Just because you are not scared, doesn't mean that you are naive to the risks around. 

Just because you are not studying at a college/ university that you have stopped learning.

Just because I wear a ring that I am engaged or married. or that a special man bought me the ring. 

Just because it is a popular or viral post on social media.... doesn't make it true. 

Just because you don't see the importance of something, that it is not important. 

Just because you can't support something financially that you cannot support it at all. 

Just because I told myself that was stupid, that I struggle with negative thoughts.

Just because I shared some positive self-thoughts, that I don't struggle with negative thoughts. 

Just because a particular diet is popular, that it is good for everyone. or just plain good for anyone at all. 

Just because a particular kind of music is popular in my/ your culture, that it is my/your favorite music too. 

Just because I buy the slightly more expensive product that I don't count my money and budget, perhaps I want said product to last longer and in that way get the value for my money

Just because you don't see the value in someone or something, that the person/ thing doesn't have value. You have a skewed perspective.

Just because you "celebrate" a certain festival of whichever religion, that you truely know why it is celebrated and value it for what it is, and celebrate it for it's real reason. Perhaps you just like a party. 

Just because it is a popular thing to do, that you should also do it to simply follow the crowd.

Just because I follow/ listen to a particular person/ organisation that I agree with every single thing they say and do. 

Just because a policy/ idea/ ideology sounds good, that it really is good. It might lead to hell on earth. 

Just because I can serve you , and do it with a smile now, doesn't mean that I am a doormat, or will allow you to use me as a doormat. 

Just because you sweep something under the carpet, that it won't get exposed at some point in time. 

Just because you don't understand the consequences of your actions/ or think that there wouldn't be any, that the consequences wouldn't show up. 

Just because you don't plan your project properly and last minute tell everyone that it is an emergency that everyone will fall for your cries of help in your "emergency".

The Disciples on the road to Emmaus

The disciples on the road to Emmaus

My friend and I walk this road

7 miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus

Our hearts heavy

Suddenly this stranger walks with us

Asks us about our conversation

We're confused - How can he not know what happened?

The conversation takes a different twist and turn

He explains things to us from our scriptures

that we knew but never really understood

What we thought to be all bad, was in fact good

Our hearts within us -burn 

as we listen to the stranger talking

We reach home and invite him in to stay

We break some bread and pray

Our eyes open to see that this is our beloved Rabbi

He is the Promised Messiah

He is alive

We ran back with a skip in our step

and share our good news with our friends

Our Messiah is alive!

(Luke 24: 13-35; The two disciples on the way to Emmaus)

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

An (imaginary) bushveld memoire

The orange moon rise above the hills

The guinea-fowls' good night song echoes

On the other side the horizon

Swallowed the sun

A little mouse scurried across the field

back home to her children

all anticipating what mom's grocery bags will yield

Perched on the branch of a long-dead leadwood

an owl sits its nightwatch duty

The lonesome elephant walks past

Stops for a moment, as if to greet and chat 

Slowly he walks on to the river

And slakes his thirst from the silver moonlight

Content he carries further on

Stops at the Nyala trees

and eats on the leaves to his heart's content

With the background song of the nightjar family

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven - The Tuskers from days gone by

These seven tread our beloved bushveld in days gone by

Remembered fondly for them carrying heavy ivory  (50kg +) 

The magnificent seven tuskers

Old elephant; Great tusker is Kambaku

Named after his homegrounds. Shawu vlei, Shawu

The Irritable One, Living remotely and shying away from tourists

Small bull, but still impressive tusks, Mufanyane

Waiting for something coming slowly, my friend Dzombo

Sadly killed by poachers, but tusks were safely recovered.

Named after an ancient priest, John, Joao

the only one whose tusks are not at the Elephant Museum

Towering above the trees, Ndlulamithi

This last one too, fondly named after his preferred place to stay

breathed his last under a sycamore tree, Shingwedzi

These seven pachyderms lived long ago.

today we still have big tuskers around in our beautiful Park

Next time you are Kruger - bound

Look, Observe, take note, take Photos

The tuskers are still around

What is it that you are looking for?

What is it that you are looking for?

and where is it, that you are searching for this?

You can be looking for the right thing

but in all the wrong places and spaces.

We all have a path to walk

Do you know where your's are leading to?

and when your bubble has burst

where would you find yourself?

***************************

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Somer

Die straat is pers

Die Jacarandas is in volle blom

Die kwik styg 

die hitte maak my skoon stom

Die sweet tap ons af

Die wolke bou op

en ons bid vir die reën om te kom

Die donderstorm breek uit

Dis Oktober, die mooie Oktober

Die begin van die somer

Riana Odendaal 

Oktober 2019

Jonah

Jonah

Jonah, to Nineveh you must go
About My grace they should know
In the opposite direction he went
On the boat, he goes
thinking "God can't find me here"
The storm erupted. Everyone in fear.
Into the angry sea Jonah goes
A big fish sent from above
Keeps him safe for three days
Reminding him that
God is even at the bottom of the ocean
Suddenly the fish vomits him out
From the darkness of the sea
to the light of day
Garment complete with algae stains
He shouts repent repent repent
Everyone's day in sackloth and ashes they spent
God's grace and mercy to the Ninevites extend
Some hard lessons Jonah had to learn



Riana Odendaal
October 2019

Cast the first stone - if you are without sin

So here we go

I'm being pulled and dragged by the arm 

the accusations against me is flying through the air

by those who claim to be white sheep

but really paint their outward appearance white

and deep inside is just as sinful as any other.

They believe themselves to be perfect.

We go this Man in town

we all believe to be a great Rabbi.

The guilt sit on my shoulders like a rock

even though I know I'm not the only guilty party

but my tongue has been cut to speak against the other. 

"Rabbi" this woman... the rest of their accusations drift past my ears

The compassion and mercy shines from His eyes

unlike the so-called religious leaders of the day.

The Rabbi tells them to cast the first stone

if they are without sin

as He know full-well what is going on in their hearts.

He bends down and scribble in the sand

one by one their guilty consciences let them walk away

their loud accusations against me ricocheted. 

The Rabbi soft voice speaks to my soul

"Woman, where are they? Have no one condemned you?"

No Rabbi, not even one.

"Neither do I. Go and sin no more."

Instantaneously the weight of guilt and judgment fell from my shoulders

as I walked away in this never-before- felt grace given to me

This Rabbi must be the Messiah we so long for

No one else can forgive sins

No one else knows what is going on behind religious masks

Except God. so this Rabbi must be the Messiah

(John 8:1-11) 

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Daniel

Daniel prays

Jealous colleagues

Tricks King Darius

by signing silly new law

Daniel thrown in lion's den

God's Angel close lions' mouths

Daniel kept safe

Darius praises God

 Lions have breakfast of jealous colleagues  

God's name is honoured above all

by all in Medio-Persia

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Secretary of the grassplains

Secretary of the grassplains

Tall and proud he slowly marches

throughout his territory

With his black pants and grey coat

looking for a snack slithering around

wide open spaces

he will with his presence grace.

Numbers decrease at alarming rates

bush encroachment; their grassy plans cut smaller

and smaller and smaller .....

makes that we see less and less and less

secterary-birds marching around the countries' grassy plains

Praise the name of the Lord

From the place where the sun rises to the place where it sets the name of the Lord is to be praised

so from 

Australia to Argentina

Bali to Berlin

Cape to Cairo

Denmark to Dakota

England to Everglades

Francistown to Falkland Islands

Gabarone to Grenada

Helsinki to Hungary

Italy to Idaho 

Jerusalem to Johannesburg

Kigali to Kumasi

Lagos to Los Angeles

Mpumalanga to Magreb

Nampula to Nigeria

Oslo to Oxford

Perth to Pakistan

Quebec City to  Quito

Russia to Rwanda 

Sierra Leone to St.Lucia

Tehran to Tampere

Ukraine to Urucu

Vereeniging to Vitoria

Windhoek to Winnipeg

Xais-Xais to Xikumbane

Yemen to Yafo

Zanzibar to Zambia

and everywhere in between the name of the Lord is to be praised. What we are doing to take God's word to them, so that they may Praise Him? 

Saul / Paul

"We honour God" You belong to a cult.
You worship differently than us, so you're the problem.
You worship something else.
We will persecute you.
hunt you down, wipe you out.
Come, team, let's go get 'em christians
We will start at Damascus
Blinding light
A voice thunders from heaven
"Why are you persecuting me?"
"Who are you,Lord?"
I AM the Lord, the risen Savious
Follow Me!
Yes, Lord. I will follow
through misunderstandings and persecutions
stonings and shipwrecks
to death
I will follow You

- Paul' lifestory in a nutshell

Riana Odendaal
October 2019

You have been kind enough to come

"Peter"

Yes, Lord!?  Go with these people at the gate

A Roman Soldier and some servants.

and they are asking directly for me?

Where are we going?

Peter, just go with them, I sent them to you. 

So we walk the 50kms to Caesarea

Still not to sure what to expect.

We arrive at Cornelius' home

filled with anticipating friends and family.

This man of God will tell us about this God we fear and honour

but don't know much about. 

You have been kind enough to come, Peter.

The Messiah has come,

He paid for our sins on the cross

He rose on the third day

He ascended to heaven to prepare for us

He will come back again one day

"We believe"

and at once the Holy Spirit filled them too

A sure sign that they are now too, part of the body of Christ.

May we be kind enough to go, kind enough to those around us

but obedient to God who sent us to go.

(ref: Acts 10-11)

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

Dear Thessalonians

Dear Thessalonians

We came and shared God's truth to you

The Holy Spirit's power worked in your lifes

You received His word

with afflictions, with joy.

Others are telling us how you now life

your eyes were opened to your idols

these you have left for good

and now serve the Living and True God

For that we thank God every time we remember you

we thank God for His work in your lifes.

- From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy

1 Thessalonians 1 rewritten in other words. 

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

The woman with the alabaster flask

Jesus and disciples recline at the table

In the house of Simon the leper

joyful chatter abound.

Suddenly enters this woman

in her hands a flask of alabaster

Not a word spoken

as all eyes on Jesus

the expensive oil drips down his head, face to the floor

"What a waste!" suddenly fills the air

"The money could have been spent in this and that way"

But Jesus quiets their exclaims with

"She prepared me for my burial"

"She will be remembered by this wherever the gospel is told"

We don't see things the way God does.

Lord, may we learn to see things in new ways.

may we waste our expensive oils on You. 

Riana Odendaal

October 2019

(Matthew 26: 1- 13) 

The day of Atonement

The day of Atonement/ Yom Kippur

A day given to the Israelites

Instructions given for the sacrifices

A covering for the priest and his family

who then sacrifices for the nation

a covering for their sins for the year

followed year after year after year

A Shadow of the Substance what is to come

The Messiah came - the Substance

who is the Perfect Sacrifice

the High Priest

The only Mediator between God the Father and us

who not only covers our sin for time being

but who forgives

and cleanses us from all unrighteousness

with covers us with His righteousness

The Perfect Sacrifice

and Love for all mankind

Stop striving to be perfect - we can't be

and accept His atonement for you

which alone will cover and cleanse you

Confess you sins, and Trust Him to cleanse and Forgive you

*********************

Hebrews 9: 13-14

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

********************

Riana Odendaal

October 2019