Before I share what is on my heart, I want to point out two things that the blog is not about.

The blog is not:
a) Some type of Cathartic pursuit that somehow helps me to feel better about myself and equally not,
b) an expression of narcissistic tendencies.

The aim of these writings is and will always be to try and encourage others on their Christian journey. Therefore, they are often short, but punchy. By sharing some of my own testimonies, I hope that people will see the choices that I have made for myself or situations that I am in and be a little more equipped to turn, stay the course, leap over, wrestle down the challenges for their own lives. When I share from scripture that has been put on my heart, my hope and prayer is always that people will take those scriptures to God in their personal time and seek out what they may mean for their own lives.

Sifted like Wheat

Well as my person life continues to resemble a wheat sifting process I kind of feel like:

²⁴ “Wretched and miserable man (or woman) that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?” Romans 7:24 (Amp) gender emphasis added.

I guess if we were all to be honest, we could all say that we’ve had times like that at some stage or perhaps multiples stages in life; for some of us it may even be a weekly or even daily process right now.

The truth for me at the moment is that in response to some of my personal challenges I have not shown the works of the fruit of the Spirit to the degree that I would want (nowhere even near it to be truthful) and have this internal warring of my flesh and spirit going on within. The Apostle Paul described it like this:

^14 “We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant—carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control]. ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. ¹⁶ Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent). ¹⁷ So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not. ¹⁹ For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ²⁰ But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.²¹ So I find it to be the law [of my inner self], that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. ²² For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self [with my new nature], ²³ but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.” Romans 7:14-23 (Amp).

So at this point in time I am really crying out to God in truth (believe me it’s raw), I take time to praise Him, because He is so worthy of my/our praises, but I am also forsaking all of the scripture, church talk and holy mode prayer that I’ve heard & learnt over the years and just get real close & personal (honest) with God about what I truly feel and where I am – As if He doesn’t know!

At these times God doesn’t say to me “how dare you little Don, who do you think you are to tell me that you are not going to try anymore unless I change you…” and so forth, no I get the real sense that he says “Finally! Finally, we can really talk. You’re beginning to remove the mask behind the mask and now I can begin to move further in you”. Take note though, I’m not saying that that it and it’s all ‘happy ever after’, ‘name it (the blessing) and claim it’ and all that jazz. No, it doesn’t end there. Staying in that ‘real place’ is a huge challenge for me and one that I need to do a lot more emptying of self to achieve. That’s what I call ‘the painful stuff’, which is often preceded by a lot of shaken life circumstances and not one that I would ever intentionally choose to enter into – The sifting.

When I get to those points of real places, I’m in no way (or trying to be) over familiar or irreverent towards God but I am trying to be real about my need/s from my Father. It’s wrong that I can talk to other individuals with more openness and reality at times then I do to God. I sometimes think that He doesn’t want to hear about my complaints because we’ve often been told to just ‘praise’ your way out. Well, praising isn’t always easy and I seem to remember God reinstating a deflated Elijah in a cleft of a rock without Elijah having worshipped (1 Kings 19), no as I read it, Elijah was running for His life and wanted to die (Vs. 4).

I am also reminded of the many great patriarchs of faith who commonly showed this desperation/real place for & with God, such as:

• Moses said to God that He and the Children of Israel would not go on in their journey to the promised land unless God went with them (Exodus 33), He did not want the angel that God was going to send before them, but God Himself;
• Abraham also took it upon himself to question God intention with regards to Gods plan for Sodom in Genesis 18:16-33;
• It is also biblical fact that own Lord Jesus who was tested at all points for us (Hebrews 4:15) even asked the Father if He would remove the cup (of divine wrath) that He would experience on the cross and being in agony (anguish and distress – within His body of humanity) prayed intensely to the point of sweating blood (Luke 22:42-44).

So, I think we are in good company and ok in being ‘real’ before our Father, there has been a precedence set by a higher authority than the likes of you and me.

That said, going back to Pauls discourse in Romans 7 above in contrast to my current predicaments, I am thankful to God for what Paul said next in vs 25:

²⁵ “Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! …” Romans 7.25 (Amp) Thanks, be indeed – Hallelujah! We have a Lord who loves us like no other human being (or pet for that matter) ever could. We have a Heavenly Father who gave His all in His Son; a Son whose love for the Father and us, gave His all to the point of dying our death, and a Holy Spirit who gives His all as He resides within all who give their lives to Christ, even as the unfinished works of grace that we are.

So whatever you are facing (we will always have troubles and persecutions and they come as Jesus said, because of the word (Mark 4:17) in the explanation of the parable of the sower and seeds); remember that our high priest has felt all that we can feel and is able to take your direct and frank pleas without taking offence at our frail humanity.  He once said the following to the Apostle Peter, and I believe that he is saying the same to you and me today:

So please don’t despair, Jesus has and continues to pray for you and I. So, let us remember that Jesus made the way for us and gave us victory by carrying our debt of sin onto the cross, and in doing so He defeated & disarmed Satan and his followers (Colossians 2:15) and removed the requirements of law (Ephesians 2:14-15) which separated us from Father God.

And finally, in His own words Jesus told us:

^33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33 (Amp))

So whilst I may being sifted, I believe the purpose is for me to be refined as Gold and I will call out to our Father God and He will say there is my child (Zechariah 13:9).

I think the words from this song aptly capture it for me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7mNAsx7Vw

God bless you,

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (New Living Translation)‘But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.’

May God bless you all,

‘But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.’

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT)

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Note from Brother Don — click to open

I would love for this space to become more interactive as we walk together in faith. If there are subjects you’d like to explore from a Christian perspective, or if you have prayer needs for yourself, your family, or your friends, please feel free to reach out.

You can send a private message through the site — these are confidential and not visible to anyone else. The only exception would be if a safeguarding concern were raised; in that case, it may need to be passed on to the appropriate agency or person, as you would expect.

Above all, I want to ensure that what is shared here reflects what the Lord desires to say. Sometimes the “signal” of life can get in the way, and your feedback helps me stay prayerful, discerning, and aligned with His heart. Whether you simply read along or choose to share, I’m grateful you’re here.

Beginning a Journey With Jesus — click to open

If you’re exploring the Christian faith or wondering what it means to follow Jesus, you’re in the right place. Beginning a journey with Him is the most life‑changing decision a person can make — and it’s open to everyone.

Below is a simple explanation of the gospel message, followed by a prayer you can use if you feel ready to invite Jesus into your life.

A Brief Summary of the Gospel Message:

• God created you for relationship with Him.
• Sin — the things we do wrong — separates us from God.
• We cannot fix this separation by our own efforts.
• Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth, lived without sin, and died on the cross to take our place.
• He rose again, defeating sin and death.
• Through Jesus, we can be forgiven, restored, and made new.
• Salvation is a gift — received by faith, not earned by good works.
• When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and begins transforming our lives.
• We become children of God, with a new identity and a new future.

A Simple Prayer to Begin Your Journey:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You today because I want to know You. I admit that I have sinned and fallen short, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for me and rose again so that I could be made new. Today, I choose to turn away from my old life and follow You. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to live for You from this day forward. Thank You for loving me, forgiving me, and making me Your child. Amen.”

What to Do Next:

1. Find a Local Church
Look for a Bible‑believing church in your area. Speak to the pastor or leadership team and let them know about the commitment you’ve made. They will be able to support you, pray with you, and help you grow.

2. Consider the Alpha Course
I strongly recommend the Alpha Course, which runs worldwide. It’s a safe, friendly place to explore questions about life, the Christian faith, and God — whether you’re brand new or simply curious.

Visit the Alpha Course website

3. Reach Out if You’d Like Support
If you’d like prayer, have questions, or want to talk privately, you can send a confidential message through the site. Nothing you share will be visible to others. The only exception is if a safeguarding concern is raised — in that case, it may need to be passed on to the appropriate agency or person, as you would expect.