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Update: We are pleased to welcome Caryl Moll to the blogging team. Caryl is a member of the congregation who is a talented writer and experienced blogger bringing her gift of observation and reflection on how God reveals Himself through daily life, especially through His amazing creation. We will now be regularly featuring blogs from Caryl amongst the pastors' blogs and posts from other guest authors. Since it is no longer just the pastors writing blog posts, our blog is now titled the "NHCF Blog" to acknowledge this greater breadth of collaboration. If you have a story or reflection you would like to share we'd love to feature them. Please send any submissions to graham@thenewharvest.org.zaA Nostalgic Reflection by Caryl MollI first encountered Jesus before I ever knew I had.I was born into my very own Eden – a small farm nestled in the lush Limpopo valley. My parents were busy people and took their task to provide for our family very seriously. This allowed me time to explore the vast rolling fields, the thick bush, the resident wild animals and the beautiful mountains that hedged us all in. It was the perfect setting to discover my risen Lord although I didn’t understand it fully at the time.I first encountered Jesus in the lay of the African landscape; the wonderful vistas; the sunrises; the sunsets and the wonderful views from the branches of high trees. I knew I had a special place in it all. I walked endlessly, climbed rocks and trees and mountains. I relished my childlike freedom and sang freely.I first encountered Jesus as I lay on the rough lawn outside our home and took in the glorious expanse of the sky. And I marvelled at the bright stars, the moon and the works of God’s fingers. Who was I that He was mindful of me? And the comet that came to visit but was so far away that it was hardly visible. God had given me a glimpse into the magnitude of our galaxy. I first encountered Jesus in the early morning dew – where silver droplets hung from a million grass fronds and His sunlight sparkled through their fragile frames adding sustenance to the ecosystem.I first encountered Jesus in the grasshoppers that I caught. I felt the pulse of life as I clasped them tightly and giggled as they pushed against my palm. Like me, they also wanted their freedom. I marvelled at the termites that I hunted; at the honey that I harvested and at the strawberries I stole from my father’s orchard. It was all so beautifully designed and it was God that did it!I first encountered Jesus in the little bean garden that I grew; where I was able to reap the fruits of my efforts and sample their flavours. In this, I understood what it meant to nurture and labour.I first encountered Jesus in the rustling wind that sang psalms through the tin roof of our farmhouse; and in the crazy thunderstorms that…

Guest Postby Caryl MollEvery afternoon I grant myself some “me-time”. It’s usually on my bed, with a book in hand. Without fail, I am witness to a pretty little visitor at my window.  It’s one of a pair of Cape Glossy Starlings that live in the neighbourhood. Its iridescent blue feathers shimmer in the sunlight as it hops up and down the window sill - seemingly peeking in at me through the glass.  For a while, I relished the warm, fuzzy feeling; imagining that the bird was actually visiting ME.Then, ever so often, my feathered friend would pause, look into the pane and peck loudly at the glass. At times it would be very aggressive too. The bang could be heard throughout our house. Its ever increasing and tenacious banging at the pane made me worry that it might break the glass.  Sometimes the bird edged towards the open window and I’d ponder what I’d do if it actually managed to come inside my room. It took a few afternoon visits before I realised that this exquisitely beautiful bird, with its bright yellow eyes, wasn’t actually visiting ME at all. Indeed, the pair were setting up home in the old sisal log attached to one of the trees in my garden.  It was, in reality, seeing its own reflection in the glass pane and was displaying aggressive, territorial behaviour true to its species. The Starling was systematically attacking the imaginary bird who was “invading its territory”. Silly bird! Imagine trying to chase yourself away!But this series of events got me thinking about how much we, as human beings, are so similar to these birds. How often do we fight with ourselves – attacking imaginary enemies – when the world, in reality, is nothing like we imagine. How often do we stand at Christ’s door asking to come in but not really wanting to? Are we just pecking at a glass pane?Let’s look at some Scripture verses:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.Jeremiah 29:137“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.Matthew 7:7So my question is: When we knock on Christ’s door, are we REALLY wanting to enter into the new life that He promises? Is our heart REALLY in it? Or are we hopping along the fringes of the entrance pretending to be victorious? Are we presenting as pretty (but very defensive) Starlings or are we true children of God?Me? I’ve chosen to enter His door.---xXx--- Dear reader,I pray that the Lord will shine his light on your beautiful, God-given wings; that you will enter His door and that you will fly victoriously to reflect His glory to those around you.With love, in ChristCaryl

by Calven CelliersLast week in our Team meeting, our staff devotion centred around the whole issue of seeking God.The Word of God is full of commands for us as God’s people to seek Him; too many to mention them all in this blog…“11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”(1 Chronicles 16:11NIV)“13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:13NIV)“10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10NIV)“25The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”(Lamentations 3:25NIV)“7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”(Matthew 7: 7 & 8NIV) As I gave this issue of seeking God some more thought during the course of the week, I contemplated the reality of how if we’re not moving toward God, then we’re moving away from Him. If I put my Christian life in neutral, in other words if I stop seeking to learn and grow as a believer, I will naturally go the wrong way.There is, however, a biblical promise that we can depend on, and that’s the fact that we will only find God when we seek Him with all our heart.But how do we go about seeking Him?Let’s be honest, seeking anything requires time and effort. The very word connotes a strong desire and an energetic quest to achieve it. We all have ambitions and desires. And while this is by no means wrong, we should analyse our priorities by asking, “Where do I invest my time and energy? What or who occupies my thoughts?” As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord.Imagine if you discovered a very productive vein of gold on your property. I don’t for one minute believe that you would just stroll out and look at it occasionally. No, you would get proper equipment and diligently chip away at the rocks and collect the precious metal. In the same way, seeking the Lord is not a quick or occasional encounter but a wholehearted, intentional effort to know Him more intimately and follow Him more closely.When our desire for the Lord surpasses our eagerness for other pursuits, following through becomes more natural. But hunger for the Lord can be like an acquired taste. The more we pursue Him, the greater our hunger will be. However, if we ignore Him, what little appetite we have will diminish even further. Do you find that the latter describes your experience? If so, ask the heavenly Father to whet your appetite for Him, and then follow through by making the effort to seek Him.The most obvious place to begin is with Scripture and prayer. Set aside…