Monday, January 25, 2010
Michael W Smith Above All - Billy Graham Crusade - Maio 2003
Youtube
Music 'Above All'
Michael W Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9FS7e_NWTw
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Death of Port Elizabeth Algoa Bay
Most of my friends who have been following this blog and enjoying the pictures may not realise that many of them have been cleaned up and when presented look like any other first world country and look picture perfect for the tourist.
Not so.
Many historical buildings in the "Old City" have fallen into disrepair and are occupied by Africa's teeming masses, especially drug lords and their ilk from other North African Countries. For tourists now to visit these sites is certainly irresponsible! (See my previous article on the state of the city). Here is a fine example of the old Post Office which occupied a building over a 100 years old but since 1994, the advent of so called "democracy" the building lies empty and in ruin.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
'My GOD of Miracles' Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
MY GOD OF MIRACLES (22)
Often when I kneel to pray, my heart is full of doubt,
Does God really hear my prayers and can He sort them out?
My life seems such a muddle, there are times I quite despair
that God grew tired of listening and is now no longer there.
God is so Almighty, and so holy is His Name
I feel quite small and useless, with such a humble frame,
There are many people that He made, who He must hear
Has He time for this weak child, who falters much, I fear?
Can God really meet my needs, is He truly near?
So often I have knelt in tears and it seemed He didn’t care,
I’ve pleaded much for mercy from my Saviour up above,
that He would send me someone whom I could really love.
This seems to be my only need, growing greater every day,
And every passing moment, the more desperately I pray,
For though I’ve met that Person now who means so much to me,
It all seems rather hopeless as it’s me he doesn’t see.
YET
In days gone by when people prayed and humbly sought God’s face
He always stooped to listen in His never-ending grace,
No problem seemed impossible – He overcame each one
And many are the wonders that this great big God has done.
Why should I be doubtful then – my problems aren’t too great
Perhaps in human eyes they are, and lonely seems my fate,
God’s Word has many promises – He gave me one to claim*
So I’ll trust this God of Miracles Who’ll always be the same.!
*Proverbs 10:24 – “The Desire of the Righteous Shall be Granted”
(30 April 1981)
SJA Reproduced by kind permission
Often when I kneel to pray, my heart is full of doubt,
Does God really hear my prayers and can He sort them out?
My life seems such a muddle, there are times I quite despair
that God grew tired of listening and is now no longer there.
God is so Almighty, and so holy is His Name
I feel quite small and useless, with such a humble frame,
There are many people that He made, who He must hear
Has He time for this weak child, who falters much, I fear?
Can God really meet my needs, is He truly near?
So often I have knelt in tears and it seemed He didn’t care,
I’ve pleaded much for mercy from my Saviour up above,
that He would send me someone whom I could really love.
This seems to be my only need, growing greater every day,
And every passing moment, the more desperately I pray,
For though I’ve met that Person now who means so much to me,
It all seems rather hopeless as it’s me he doesn’t see.
YET
In days gone by when people prayed and humbly sought God’s face
He always stooped to listen in His never-ending grace,
No problem seemed impossible – He overcame each one
And many are the wonders that this great big God has done.
Why should I be doubtful then – my problems aren’t too great
Perhaps in human eyes they are, and lonely seems my fate,
God’s Word has many promises – He gave me one to claim*
So I’ll trust this God of Miracles Who’ll always be the same.!
*Proverbs 10:24 – “The Desire of the Righteous Shall be Granted”
(30 April 1981)
SJA Reproduced by kind permission
'Working Girl' Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
WORKING GIRL (17)
I can’t believe it but the day has come
When I’m no longer under my parents’ thumb,
No more school or the drudge of learning,
Now I’m working and it’s money I’m earning.
No more pigtails or ties or socks
No more post-examination shocks,
Plenty more freedom and much more fun,
Boy, oh boy, my life has begun!
No more sitting learning for a test,
No more cramming and becoming depressed,
No more panic or worry or fear
when examination times draw near.
I don’t have to walk up hills anymore,
And my day only lasts from eight until four,
And after that my evening is free,
Homework and I just didn’t agree.
No more P.T., I’m a lady, you see,
No more jumping over the box for me,
Nothing is dreary and I learn more each day
Which is more than many scholars can say.
Before, at school, I worked very hard,
But, unlike now, there was no reward,
Now it’s for pleasure that I’m getting paid,
And slowly and surely, my fortune’s being made.
I’ll never look back on those days that have gone,
Happy and free I’m pressing along,
Happy and rich with my life all in tune,
I didn’t leave school a moment too soon!
SJA
Reproduced by kind permission
I can’t believe it but the day has come
When I’m no longer under my parents’ thumb,
No more school or the drudge of learning,
Now I’m working and it’s money I’m earning.
No more pigtails or ties or socks
No more post-examination shocks,
Plenty more freedom and much more fun,
Boy, oh boy, my life has begun!
No more sitting learning for a test,
No more cramming and becoming depressed,
No more panic or worry or fear
when examination times draw near.
I don’t have to walk up hills anymore,
And my day only lasts from eight until four,
And after that my evening is free,
Homework and I just didn’t agree.
No more P.T., I’m a lady, you see,
No more jumping over the box for me,
Nothing is dreary and I learn more each day
Which is more than many scholars can say.
Before, at school, I worked very hard,
But, unlike now, there was no reward,
Now it’s for pleasure that I’m getting paid,
And slowly and surely, my fortune’s being made.
I’ll never look back on those days that have gone,
Happy and free I’m pressing along,
Happy and rich with my life all in tune,
I didn’t leave school a moment too soon!
SJA
Reproduced by kind permission
'The Baboon' Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
THE BABOON (15)
(A real experience while at Cape Point during a Youth-in-Action Mission in Cape Town, 1975)
The other day I had a shock,
While sitting on a Cape Town rock,
An awful chap got rather fresh,
(He wasn’t even human flesh!)
I turned around and saw him there
White, gleaming teeth and long, black hair,
He stared at me a little while,
I never dared to frown or smile.
He was quite tame but didn’t try
to make a move, and nor did I,
A stranger pair you’ll never see,
than this queer hairy chap and me.
Then this my unexpected friend
Brought our acquaintance to an end,
For he moved away from off my rock,
I think he’d received the bigger shock.
Reproduced by kind Permission
SJA
(A real experience while at Cape Point during a Youth-in-Action Mission in Cape Town, 1975)
The other day I had a shock,
While sitting on a Cape Town rock,
An awful chap got rather fresh,
(He wasn’t even human flesh!)
I turned around and saw him there
White, gleaming teeth and long, black hair,
He stared at me a little while,
I never dared to frown or smile.
He was quite tame but didn’t try
to make a move, and nor did I,
A stranger pair you’ll never see,
than this queer hairy chap and me.
Then this my unexpected friend
Brought our acquaintance to an end,
For he moved away from off my rock,
I think he’d received the bigger shock.
Reproduced by kind Permission
SJA
'A Prayer for a Discouraged Person' Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
A PRAYER FOR A DISCOURAGED PERSON (15)
Dear God, I pray, when things go wrong,
When I’m discouraged, when the day seems long,
When I’m despairing and all alone,
Help me remember I’m not on my own.
So often I forget that You are there,
I forget that You love me, and that You care,
I forget You know all, I forget You can bless,
I forget that You can see my distress.
Dear God, I pray, please help me know
When I’m in trouble, just where I can go,
You give me troubles, only then can I learn,
Where I can go, and to Whom I can turn.
When there is no-one I can find to trust
When I give up in despair and disgust,
When my heart fails me for worry and fear,
Help me to know that You are near.
Dear God, only You can understand
Why things go wrong, all this You planned,
So when I wish my life would end,
Help me remember You still are my Friend.
Lord, help me to trust in Your World always,
TO depend on You only, for the rest of my days,
For only You can supply all my need,
And only through You can I ever succeed.
SJA
Reproduced ny kind permission
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Understanding the Demise of 1820 Settler Heritage in Port Elizabeth and the African Psyche
My View
Photograph by Charles O'Rear/Corbis
Source www.travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/photos/s...
National Geographic
The Alamo Square Victorian Homes
Historically the peaceful Khoi/San in the Eastern Cape were displaced by marauding Central African Xhosa Settlers a few centuries ago. However the arrival of European Settlers in the Port Elizabeth area saw the development of Southern Africa’s first European architecture. This was not unique to one part of the world only but took place in just about every corner of the globe after the arrival of British Isle Settlers.
Developments were not limited to architecture and housing only but included a long unprintable list of benefits, some of which were roads, medicine, hospitals, colleges, universities, bridges, mechanical transportation, churches…..Much of this development has never really been appreciated by Africans and in many cases they have been plainly resentful despite enjoying Western European traditions.
Port Elizabeth boasts some of the world’s finest Victorian architecture - located opposite the Donkin and straddling the edge of the City. These homes were some of the first homes to be built at the turn of 1820 and are supposedly part of South Africa’s rich diverse history. San Francisco in the USA also boasts fine Victorian homes somewhat identical to Port Elizabeth’s own. There are of course many similarities between the San Francisco homes in Alamo Square and those of the Donkin namely, both are nearly as old, both are built on undulating land, both have the city skyline adjacent, and both have a park opposite. The city of San Francisco take exceptional pride and care in the preservation of their heritage sites with tours organised around these showpieces. Although sporting European Heritage the city and tourists are made up of many cultural groups but all enjoy the stunning beauty of Victorian architecture preserved for the sightseer.
Not so with Africans! A quick view of the Donkin and its heritage sights including the 1820 Settler homes will give you an immediate idea of what the African psyche is all about. African Renaissance seems to be a rejection of all things European regardless of the views held by the city’s residents, or whether the tourist would find a restored Donkin enjoyable, as is the case of the stunning but well preserved San Francisco hill homes.
It is simply shocking and absurd the way this early developmental history is allowed to erode, and then to blame other factors for the city’s demise, is simply not on.
Much of the money that would have preserved these cherished icons has instead been embezzled. The “fat cats” (see newspaper article in this Blog: “R100 Billion Goes Missing” in the Eastern Cape) supposedly promoting Port Elizabeth have missed the opportunity of huge tourist financial paybacks which would no doubt be forthcoming by maintaining the “Old City”. Perhaps, like so many other writers have indicated, there is a covert agenda to remove any history linked to European Settlers prior to 1994 which includes heritage sites, the names of people, etc………..” This can be described as the heart and soul, the fundamental intention of the so called “African Renaissance”, even though it has nothing better to offer.
SJA
Photograph by Charles O'Rear/Corbis
Source www.travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/photos/s...
National Geographic
The Alamo Square Victorian Homes
Historically the peaceful Khoi/San in the Eastern Cape were displaced by marauding Central African Xhosa Settlers a few centuries ago. However the arrival of European Settlers in the Port Elizabeth area saw the development of Southern Africa’s first European architecture. This was not unique to one part of the world only but took place in just about every corner of the globe after the arrival of British Isle Settlers.
Developments were not limited to architecture and housing only but included a long unprintable list of benefits, some of which were roads, medicine, hospitals, colleges, universities, bridges, mechanical transportation, churches…..Much of this development has never really been appreciated by Africans and in many cases they have been plainly resentful despite enjoying Western European traditions.
Port Elizabeth boasts some of the world’s finest Victorian architecture - located opposite the Donkin and straddling the edge of the City. These homes were some of the first homes to be built at the turn of 1820 and are supposedly part of South Africa’s rich diverse history. San Francisco in the USA also boasts fine Victorian homes somewhat identical to Port Elizabeth’s own. There are of course many similarities between the San Francisco homes in Alamo Square and those of the Donkin namely, both are nearly as old, both are built on undulating land, both have the city skyline adjacent, and both have a park opposite. The city of San Francisco take exceptional pride and care in the preservation of their heritage sites with tours organised around these showpieces. Although sporting European Heritage the city and tourists are made up of many cultural groups but all enjoy the stunning beauty of Victorian architecture preserved for the sightseer.
Not so with Africans! A quick view of the Donkin and its heritage sights including the 1820 Settler homes will give you an immediate idea of what the African psyche is all about. African Renaissance seems to be a rejection of all things European regardless of the views held by the city’s residents, or whether the tourist would find a restored Donkin enjoyable, as is the case of the stunning but well preserved San Francisco hill homes.
It is simply shocking and absurd the way this early developmental history is allowed to erode, and then to blame other factors for the city’s demise, is simply not on.
Much of the money that would have preserved these cherished icons has instead been embezzled. The “fat cats” (see newspaper article in this Blog: “R100 Billion Goes Missing” in the Eastern Cape) supposedly promoting Port Elizabeth have missed the opportunity of huge tourist financial paybacks which would no doubt be forthcoming by maintaining the “Old City”. Perhaps, like so many other writers have indicated, there is a covert agenda to remove any history linked to European Settlers prior to 1994 which includes heritage sites, the names of people, etc………..” This can be described as the heart and soul, the fundamental intention of the so called “African Renaissance”, even though it has nothing better to offer.
SJA
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