I was privileged this month to attend a coaching workshop together with some leaders from church. This seminar was facilitated by Mike Cerff, a professional leadership and life coach passionate about seeing others realise their God-given potential. Mike and Karen Cerff together run a coaching development and consultancy firm called Transformational Leadership Coaching SA. Take a look at www.transformationalleadership.co.za to read more about the awesome work they do or call Mike on +27 (0)72 2722729.Proverbs 20 v 5 says that 'the purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out'. I see coaching as that drawing out to the fore the unique life purpose God has placed inside each of us. All of us are created with a unique design, unique desires and a unique destiny. I learnt that through intentional, authentic conversations we can discover God's ultimate for us, so that over time, the path becomes brighter and our dreams become clearer.
The workshop was remarkable. I watched as one participant expressed a lifelong dream and in doing so God was able to breathe new life into it, pulling it from the domain of wishful thoughts into the realm of strong possibility. She left encouraged because her dream had become so much clearer through the workshop.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139 v 13,14
Scientists agree that conception marks the beginning of a human life. Miriam Cain writes that "Everything that determines the individuality and originality of a person is established at conception. The first single cell contains the entire genetic blueprint in all its complexity." (http://www.christianaction.org.za/)
This really means that our temperament, dreams and all the traits that mark our uniqueness are established in us by God in this early moment that our lives begin. Furthermore scientists know that a tiny heart begins beating about 18 days after conception and brainwaves can be detected after around 40 days. By 8 weeks, all the organs and body systems are in place. When an abortion happens then, tragically the baby's nervous system is developed enough to feel the excruciating pain of the procedure.
(taken from http://proliferesources.com)
1 February marked the 14th anniversary of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa. This day was observed this month as a day of prayer and repentance throughout the country for the more than a million lives lost through abortion since legalisation.
I've always known that abortion is wrong, but recently I feel like I've just uncovered a hidden genocide. Severed arms with perfectly formed fingernails. Bodies cut in half and legs ripped off. Not much choice for a beating heart destroyed and robbed of an opportunity to live out a unique destiny.
In addition, the emotional and physical consequences are huge for those who believed or were told that they are merely discarding 'blobs of tissue', only to discover later the hidden truth that abortion is harmful to both the child and the mother. Let's continue to seek God, not only for repentance but also for His grace and healing to come to those who have gone through this experience.
