Very Important Recall Notice!

I came across this “Recall Notice” and I thought it was very cleverly written.

Have a wonderful Friday friends and make sure you are referring to your “Operating Manual” regularly. 😉

Be awesomely blessed!

Cláudia

Brazilian Rooftop Jam

I truly believe that some time in my life, I will land up in Brazil. Probably doing Mission work. It’s a thought that very often crosses my mind.

I have always felt a connection to Brazil. Maybe having had a grandfather that lived there for over 40 years and having grown up hearing about his stories, has made me fall in love with the country, even though I have never stepped foot there. But I WILL!! Hopefully really soon!

I also have truly beautiful Brazilian friends, who have come to be very important in my life and I think that has only increased my passion for that country.

Maybe all these added up, helps explain why I support them in the World Cups from a very young age, continuously listen to Brazilian Music (maybe that’s thanks to my dad, for making us listen to South American music as we grew up) and in Summer, I live in my Havaiana sandals.  (Which reminds me, I need to stock up on new ones for this Summer… haha…)

Anyway, I was checking out the Playing for Change website (as I often do) and came across this ‘Brazilian Rooftop Jam’ and I totally LOVE it and it gets me shaking my Latina toosh and I just had to share it.  I guess, it’s not everyone’s taste but alas, I can’t make everyone happy at the same time.  So go ahead and click this link → Brazilian Rooftop Jam

For those who don’t know about Playing for Change, they are a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race.

I think they are onto something with this idea.

You can see other great songs they have created on their website, such as my favourite One Love,  made with artists from all over the world, including my sunny South Africa!!

Enjoy and be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

Promises

When things get tough, life just doesn’t seem to be going right and all you keep thinking is ” Why can’t I catch a break?!?!?!”, just take a step back and think of the promises that the Lord made you.

Here are few bible verses of wonderful promises for you. When you feel you have come to the end of your strength and are feeling discouraged, reflect on these. I promise you, will be lifted, strengthened and encouraged.

You will have Joy!

If you have a life lived in the presence of the Lord, your reward will be one that the world could never offer.  Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

You will be strong!

Continually have joy in the Lord and He will be your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

You will have peace!

Submit yourself to His will and you will have eternal peace.  Psalm 37:11 “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”

You will not stumble!

God’s law is a “loving guidance” for how we should walk with Him. By having our feet on solid, smooth ground, we will not stumble. Psalm 119: 165 “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

A great and wonderful woman, whom I have the utmost respect and love for, said to me last night: “The Lord has a plan that is best and He will guide you as you trust in Him. Remember, Strength for today, Hope for tomorrow!”

So be strong and hopeful for the Lord IS good!

I leave you with a great worship song from Desperation Band, aptly called “Promises”. Enjoy!!

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

‘FIT FOR HIM’ TUESDAY

Welcome to my first posting of ‘Fit For Him’ Tuesday.

I decided to start these on a Tuesday because people always say: “I’ll start my diet on Monday” or “I’ll start exercising on Monday”… but how many times, has Monday come and gone and you still haven’t started that diet or your exercise program, that you spent hours planning?

The Sunday night before, you have it all planned: “I will get up 30 minutes earlier and jog 5km. Then I will make myself the healthiest fruit and yoghurt Smoothie in the world. Low calories all day! Yes! I am doing this and sticking to it!!”

Monday morning comes, alarm clock goes off, punctually, as planned,30 minutes earlier… you moan and stretch to switch the alarm off. Your mind is so ready for the plan to get into action and then the most incredible thing happens, your finger seems to have developed a mind of its own and decides for you that it should hit the snooze button instead. “Just 5 more minutes then you can get up and do this”… 5 minutes….10 minutes… 15 … before you know it, you have overslept, need to get ready for work and there went your ‘Monday workout’.

You rush into the kitchen, grab a coffee and slice of toast and there goes the world’s healthiest Smoothie idea out the window.

“Tomorrow. I will start tomorrow. Yes! I am doing this and sticking to it!!” Famous last words?

Trust me, I speak from experience. I have been there too.

There was a time when, I was in the swimming pool training for hours on end and if I wasn’t in the pool, I was at the gym twice a day. I thrived on it. But then I got ill with cancer, stopped all exercise and once I was better, I just couldn’t find myself getting back into the routine.

The treatment I was on for the cancer, caused me to put on 20kg in 8 months. No diet which I followed strictly, prevented me from gaining the weight. It was out of my control. The weight piled on. I went from super toned and skinny to let’s say, super voluptuous… I try to avoid the word ‘fat’. Though that is exactly what I was.

Years after stopping treatment, I still struggled to lose the weight. Regardless of how well, I stuck to diets and exercise I did, I just couldn’t “shake” it off. The toxins in my body, from the medication, didn’t help the situation and took over 3 years to clear out my body.  Once they did, I still struggled to lose the weight, only losing a couple of kilos. Only in the last 6 months, have I been able to lose 12kgs.

“What’s your secret, Cláudia??” “Give me your diet!” This leaves me speechless because I wish I could bring out a writing pad and start scribbling a diet plan for everyone but the truth is, I have no secret diet.

It doesn’t come in a tablet form. It doesn’t come in a ‘Diet Shake’. It’s not a lotion if rubbed on twice a day, inches disappear off your hips.  (I never got this whole lotion scam that people fall for…)

My diet is available to everyone. It’s free. Can be used as many times a day as wished and needed and it comes packaged in “Prayer”!

Yes, years and years of prayer.

And like every diet, there is a catch… not only Prayer… BUT reading the Lord’s Word and seeing what He says about health, fitness and one’s body. And…. sorry to add… but nutrition and exercise do also come into play.

When you start to read this and meditate on what the Lord says about you and your body, you just automatically, almost subconsciously, start to take care of yourself. Watching what you eat, exercising, taking care of yourself because after all the bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV):

“¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.”

For me personally, I have a heart and desire to serve the Lord. And I want to do it as best as I can for Him and to give my 100%. No, my 110%. Actually, let’s make that 200%. 🙂

For that, I need to be not only “Physically Fit” but also “Faith Fit”.

I just need to be, all round

“FIT FOR HIM!”

From next Tuesday, I will start to share more on what I have found the Bible says on this topic and I will also share tips and ideas for eating plans and exercise, etc. that I have found to work for me, in the last 6 months.

So stay “tuned” and let’s together be ‘FIT FOR HIM’.

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

Easter Resolution

All too often, we set our focus on success and greatness by “having greatness”. Great cars, great houses, great jobs, great degrees and so forth.

Yet, the GREATEST man to have walked this earth and still to this day,  has the GREATEST affect on every man, had none of these things.

We have come to the end of the Easter holidays, a time where we celebrated the Lord’s great sacrifice for each and every one of us. But let us not keep this celebration just for Easter but rather keep remembering this throughout the year, as we go on with our lives. Keeping in mind that “greatness” comes not in what we have but rather, in what we do for others.

For me, if there had to be such a thing, as an “Easter Resolution”, then my resolution is to try and not miss any opportunity to share the Gospel and tell of the Lord’s amazing love with those that know Him not. What will your “Easter Resolution” be?

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

ONE SOLITARY LIFE

He was born in an obscure village,
the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another obscure village,
where he worked in a carpenter shop
until he was thirty.
Then for three years
he was an itinerant preacher.
He never set foot inside a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles
from the place he was born.
He never wrote a book,
or held an office.
He did none of these things
that usually accompany greatness.

While he was still a young man,
the tide of popular opinion
turned against him.
His friends deserted him.
He was turned over to his enemies,
and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross
between two thieves.
While he was dying,
his executioners gambled
for the only piece of property he had –
his coat.
When he was dead,
he was taken down
and laid in a borrowed grave.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone,
and today his is the central figure
for much of the human race.
All the armies that ever marched,
and all the navies that ever sailed,
and all the parliaments that ever sat,
and all the kings that ever reigned,
put together
have not affected the life of man
upon this earth as powerfully as this
“One Solitary Life.”

You Are My King (Amazing Love)

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me
Because You died and rose again

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
In all I do, I honor You

You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You

In all I do, to honor You,
In all I do, Let me honor You.

May you feel the amazing love of Christ this Easter (and always)!

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

Easter Story Cookies

This is a fun and delicious way to teach children about the true meaning of Easter!

That it’s not about Easter eggs and chocolate but about Jesus’ dying on the cross to take our sins away, so that we could have eternal life with Him.

Have fun baking cookies with your kids and celebrating Jesus’ love for each and every one of us!

Happy Easter friends and be awesomely blessed!

Cláudia

Easter Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter Day

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300F (150 C) degrees (this is important-don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9

Amen!!

Ingredients
Bible
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape
1. Preheat oven to 3000 F or 1500 C.
2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into
small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read: John 19:1-3. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted
together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and
went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in
the face.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the
Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so
they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to
Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he
bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give
us life.
Read John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
lays down his life for the sheep.”
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the
bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the
bitterness of our own sins.
Easter Activities brought to you by Shirley’s Preschool Activities
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com
Read Luke 23:27. A large number of people followed Him, including women who
mourned and wailed for Him.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and
belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes
refuge in Him.
John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have
been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins
are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall
be like wool.”
John 3:1-3. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the
Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a
teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are
doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can
see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
8. Fold in broken nuts.
9. Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60. As evening approached, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate,
he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body,
wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of
rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
10. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each
child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66. “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as
secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on
the stone and posting a guard.
Easter Activities brought to you by Shirley’s Preschool Activities
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com
11. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20. “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world
rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy.” And John 16:22 “So with you~
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will
take away your joy.”
On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice that the
cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake,
for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the
stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as
snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The
angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place
where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is
going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you.” So the
women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His
disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, “Greetings,” He said. They came to Him, clasped his
feet and worshipped Him.

Indescribable How Great is Our God!!!

This video clip is so worth watching!

Louie Giglio, who made the awesome DVD ‘Indescribable‘ which took us on an image-rich journey through the cosmos, allowing us to peer into God’s universe and discover the amazing magnitude of His greatness and grace, has also made a DVD called ‘How Great is Our God!’

He speaks of how this universe creating God, also knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. In a section of his message ‘How Great is Our God!‘, he talks about ‘Laminin’. For those who never did biology at school, Laminin, is an amazing molecule in the human body formed of protein, that holds the body together. Holding one cell next to the other cell.  Without Laminins, we would literally fall apart.

I did biology at school and I knew of Laminins but clearly I didn’t pay much attention in class because when I saw in this video clip and saw the picture of what Laminin looks like, I was awestruck. It just goes to prove how indescribably awesome and great our God is! How He thought out every minute detail of our bodies.

Do yourselves a favour and watch this snippet from Louie Giglio’s message and see for yourselves, what Laminin looks like. And if you don’t believe Louie Giglio, Google ‘Laminin’ and look at all the scientific images, for yourself. Coincidence that it looks this way? I don’t think so!!

It is also a very appropriate image for this Easter weekend!!

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

Father’s Love Letter

This is undoubtedly, the most beautiful love letter you will ever receive in your life.

Every word is full of truth and love and it is just for you!

Is it not so awesome, to have someone that loves you so, so much, just the way you are, flaws and all?!?!

It gives me goose bumps and brings tears of happiness to my eyes, just thinking about it!

Be awesonely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia

I Refuse to be Discouraged!!

by Lita Kurtzer

I Refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry
I Refuse to be down-hearted and here’s the reason why
I have a GOD who’s Mighty, who’s Sovereign and Supreme
I have a GOD who loves me, and I am on HIS team

HE is all Wise and Powerful, JEHOVAH is HIS name
Though everything is changeable, my GOD remains the same
My GOD knows all that’s happening, beginning to the end
HIS Presence is my comfort, HE is my “DEAREST FRIEND”

When sickness comes to weaken me,
to bring my head down low
I call upon my Mighty GOD, into HIS ARMS I go
When circumstances threaten, to rob me of my peace
HE draws me close unto HIS breast, where all my strivings cease

When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control
HE gathers me into HIS arms, HE soothes my heart and soul
The great “I AM” is with me, my life is in HIS hand
The “GOD OF JACOB” is my Hope, it’s in HIS strength I stand

I Refuse to be defeated, my eyes are on my GOD
HE has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod
I’m looking past all circumstance, to Heaven’s throne above
My prayers have reached the heart of GOD,
I’m resting in HIS love

I give GOD thanks in everything, my eyes are on HIS face
The Battle’s HIS, the Victory mine, HE’LL help me win life’s race!!

Be awesomely blessed! 🙂

Cláudia