The Twenty Fool?

Today an April fool turned twenty!

Take a good look at that fruitcake trying to do an impression.He tried and failed miserably. Guess you can never take an April fool seriously?

-Lloyd (Thank you Lord, for yet another year!)

I Need Sleep!

Wow, what a week of studying, no exams until Monday. Two on the same day, bumber!!!I could be all cranky and moan but I'm going to suck up it for change. Jesus exmaple of humality truely challenged me this week. John Chapter 13. What Jesus did for his disciples, demonstarting his love and gave them a picture of what He was about to do, so that we could have everlasting life. (Today, during a hectic week), it was great to share in fellowship with some brothers and sisters in Christ on campus.

And as for Mr Good Old Grizzly Bear, he has been evicted from his cave. I've taken over, today I was given permanent residency in Canada (meaning I can now leave and comeback to Canada as many times as I please, you could probably figure out where I would be headed t0... hopefully in the next year or so). Now I think it is time for me to retreat to my new found cave. I need...some.uh......sleep.

-Lloyd

A Soul Refreshing Truth

Doing Okay at the moment, I guess. I have days when I don't have the strength to get out of bed and then there are days we're I'll loathe in pain. Depressed? Maybe, but after buying Jars of Clay, Who we are Instead was a pleasant distraction. In fact it was refreshing. Musically, does not get better than this. Whether you're a fan or not (My unbiased rating, just remember Tree 63 is my ultimate followed by Switchfoot etc.) this album deserves 10/10.

Their change of sound from rock to folk/country/blues was masterclass in keeping their identity intact. Layman terms, they still sound like Jars of Clay and you can recognize them pretty easily. None of those lyric cliches that Contemporay Christian artist's have bashed to death. The main highlight or more specifically my point of today's blog. The one recurring theme in all of their songs:

Jesus Defines Who You Are.

Too often I think as God's people we often forget and need to reminded daily, that we are, who we are, because of Jesus. I'm pledge guilty, charged with guilt in the first degree. This all points to a simply yet abrupt conclusion. I'm sorry old sinner in deperate need of God's sore grace that comes only through his Son, Jesus.

-Lloyd

"I Will Sing of Your Mercy"

"Not only so, but we rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces peserverance;perserverence, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us,, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5

I have to confess that I'm scared. My health has not got any better. A colonoscopy seems probable but that does not scare me. For the first time after visiting the doctor I was actually scared. Helpless you could say. For the record, I know I have said on my blog, that there is beauty in suffering, God is Sovereign. It's somewhat discouraging to say that the seriousness of my health when highligted by a doctor, I withered. This passage in Romans gives me hope, comfort and encouragement.

Paul says REJOICE and I'll say it again REJOICE. Though my suffering is not related to anything emotional or spiritual, I have to rejoice for my physical suffering. I guess, I was'nt the complete character. For this very reason I will rejoice because in my distress, God will help me build character.

Secondly, Hope does not dissapoint because "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." Paul goes on to say in the next couple verses, about the hope that does not disappoint. In the next verse (v6) he tells us that "at just the right time, when were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Verse 7, 8 gives me hope "but God demonstrates his own love for us in this:While we were sinners, Christ died for us." That very hope, is accompanied with the joy that God no longer condemns us.We posses peace, because Christ death on the cross gave us eternal life (v10).

Jars of Clay wrote a song about rejoicing in our suffering, even when its difficult. I have listened to the track many times for encouragement but I'll know by the end of my pain, health problems, colonoscopy, "I Will Sing of His Mercy, that leads me through valleys of sorrows to rivers of joy."

You have led me to the sadness
I have carried this pain
On a back bruised, nearly broken
I'm crying out to you

Chorus
I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of joy

Verse 2
When death like a Gypsy
Comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face
But I fear you aren't listening
Because there are no words
Just the stillness and the hunger
For a faith that assures

Chorus

Alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia

Verse 3
While we wait for rescue
With our eyes tightly shut
Face to the ground using our hands
To cover the fatal cut
And though the pain is an ocean
Tossing us around, around, around
You have calmed greater waters
Higher mountains have come down

Chorus

Yeah
Alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluiaAlleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia

Chorus (4 Xs) ... Oh, Lord sing of Your mercy,MercyYour mercy

-Lloyd

Dared to Move

Clearly the Switchfoot hype I experienced last week still has'nt died down. I was listening to their most successful hit "Dare You to Move" and I found a familiar passage in the Bible that has striking clear parrallels to the song. The Story is found in the Gospel of Matthew (19:16-30) about the Rich Young Man.

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?"
"Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandents."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother, and love your neighbour as yourself."
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possesions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matt 19:16-22

Three things occured to me in this story:

1) You can only serve one Master (v21-24)
When Jesus addresed the young man in verse 21, "sell your possesions.." he challenged the young man's heart. The young man claimed, he kept the observable commandments but Jesus did not ask him what he did( whether he was obedient to his parents or if he stole) but rather where his heart lay. "If you observe the commandents as you claim and want to inherit eternal life, then give up your possesions and follow me." When the young man heard this, "he went away sad," his heart was in debt to his material possesions as opposed to his need to find eternal life (See Mark 10:17,22a).

2) The young man was "Dared to Move" (v20,21)
Jesus did not ask, he told the young man, "sell your possesions and give to the poor, and your will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me." This was the only challenge Jesus laid down for the young man. Look beyond the life what you already aquired, leave it all behind and "then follow me." According to the Gospel of Luke 18:20 we are told that the Rich ruler knew the commandments. The challenge scared the young man because it defied his logic of "what good thing he must do to get eternal life."(v16). There is "no good thing" we could ever do to get us into heaven. We cannot save ourselves. Verse 21, is the most critcal verse when looking at the passage. We have one question. We are all given the same one answer. The key is how do we respond to Jesus? Is it the mehighway or follow Jesus's way ?The Gospel of Mark adds that Jesus looked at the young man and loved him. "One thing you lack, he said.Go , sell everything you have..." (Mark 10:21)

3) There is Hope (v29)
Jesus gives us a promise of eternal life. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." If want to inherit eternal life, the hope I can offer you is that love Jesus exclusively as your Lord and Savior and not inclusively. You can only serve one master.

When Jon Foreman was interviewed about the album a Beautiful Letdown he said, "Alot of times, often songs are iniatially written for myself even, Dare You to Move, you know that is for my own soul.To get up in the morning and to seek out what matters. Change is a risk espically in our own soiceity. Its a risk to put yourself right on the edge. That's what it takes."

-Lloyd

Just Seems Like Yesterday...

Officially I have revamp my blog because my family celebrated our two year aniversary from leaving my beloved homeland South Africa. On Wednesday 23rd February, 2005, the Maroney family set foot in the land of the beaver, the bear and of the eskimo. I have to confess I have not seen an igloo or even met Mr Grizzly Bear but I sure do miss the African Sun. Hopefully in the near future I could enjoy going on holiday to South Africa . Below is picture of me and my family after 5 months of settling down in Canada.

Funnily Enough, It Just Seems Like Yesterday...

-Lloyd

Switchfooting to Vancouver

That was the best Monday I've ever experienced. The 12 hours spent in travelling in bus back and forth from Kelowna to Vancouver, lack of sleep and the exhaustion I'm experiencing was well worth it. All for sake of a band called Switchfoot. The day just got better and better and the experince was surreal! Had great fellowship with a great of group of christians (I did not know them before, shared pizza, chatted and braved the cold weather before the concert). Switchfoot definately rocked the house and were true witnesses for Jesus, sharing the gospel through their music.

Me, my spontaneous Brothers and Sisters in Christ and of course, Switchfoot lead singer and drummer (Jon Foreman and Chad Butler).

After the concert, meeting the lead singer Jon Foreman was even better. To witness his humbleness and dedication for the gospel as an ambassdor for Jesus was truly remarkable. In his own words in an interview with Today Magazine, "I see the gospel as the antithesis of what happens on stage. We have it all wrong in a lot of respects where we interview the people who are up on stage when I truly believe that what happens off stage is more important. How we treat each other behind closed doors matters a whole more as far as infinity's concerned than whether you hit the right note on stage and you had the strobe just perfect and your guitar was in tune. " I was truly privelleged to have met and chatted with a humble, brother in Christ.

(For those skeptics who think that I was bluffing about meeting and chatting with Jon Foreman)

-Lloyd

The Morning Has Finally Been Broken

After months of grey clouds,rain, wind chills, blizzards and snow etc; for the first time in the land of eskimos and beavers, to my suprise I witnessed a clear blue sky and of course my good old African Sun. The weather has made my day (spring is almost upon us now). It has been along long..... time since I have seen the sun shining in crystal blue skies. Sorry Mr Grizzly Bear, this South African is not going to be in hibernation for very long!

My Residency Building

Season beggining to change(UBC-O Campus)

The Science Building

Man it looks like I'm starting to miss Home................


And of course what would this post be without the gorgious African Savanna Sun?


Guess, I got a little carried away,today that was my first source of sunlight since September and was still getting cold.

-Lloyd

Enough is Enough!!

Before I got on my high horse I have some good news. I'm seeing the specialist tommorow, hopefully my medical mystery will get sorted out.

Anyway besides the distractions of my health, pain killers and prescripted drugs the liberal teaching in my classes about Evolution and the discredity of the Bible as God Word has really ruffled my feathers!

Today in English, we were discussing creation myths and and in particular Genesis 1 and 2. That class was painful, more so than pain I have been experiencing since the day of operation. Aw! What is the function of Proffesor to lecture on the material at hand or to voice personal bias?

Well, when my Proff taught Genesis 1 and 2 she had a full go at undermining the authenticity of Scripture. Suggesting the Bible is full of contradictions, making assumptions about Genesis 1 and 2 without pointing out where she came to that conclusion. Furthermore, she read the text liberally without using the confounds of English language to interpret this historical narrative text, like she did with previous works, novels before today class. She even ambitiously suggested that the Bible was not accurate and a definite fallacy. In her words the "Bible claims to be sacred but I ask you what is truth? Stating the "JEDP Documentary Hypothesis” of higher criticism is proven to be accurate( JEDP states that the early parts of the Old Testament couldn’t have been written during the times they described. They based this on the belief that writing had not evolved until about 1000 BC).

Even though it was painful to witness her liberal interpretation, God never ceases to amaze me. The evidence suggesting the authenticity of Genesis and of course Chapters 1 and 2 is so compelling, just assures my faith and deepens my trust in his word. I may have gospel opportunity to my Proffesor and my fellow class mates. I have subsequently emailed her the compelling evidence and I asked if she could kindly evaluate and discuss the issue in class (We are in very good terms with one another). God willing, the family of brother and sisters will be extended.

Enough is Enough! Taking a stand for Jesus. This hokey-pokey liberal critism of the Bible has ruffled my feathers. I will not tolerate that God's Authoritive Word is abused while other books are interpreted with much precison and dissection of the text. The article can be found be at http://www.trueorigin.org/tablet.asp.

Prasie be to our God for his Word that continually stands the test of time. Can Human Reasoning disprove his word? I think not, for it was Him who formed us in "his own image giving" us the characteristics of discourse and reseasoning "according to his likeness." Now theres something to ponder. A God who is personal and who desires a relationship and invites us to know Him personally, cause his Son paid the price for our sins, after the fall of Adam and Eve.

-Lloyd

My Medical Mystery

Rough Week! Still pretty much in pain. Doctors don't know what could be causing my pain. Getting reffered to the specialist in the coming weeks. Not all, has been bad. God willing, I'll get better for February 19th, for a Switchfoot concert in Vancouver.

Since my pain has increased ten fold, I thank God for the comfort and security of his word and his Sovereignty over my my life. "The public still trusts doctors," maybe one day it would be great to say "the public trusts Jesus,"and find their comfort in his yoke for his burdern is light.

-Lloyd

Seriously, Are You a Doctor?

Well, I really do not know any other word other than pain. Apparently I now have a spastic colon. What's next? Every day the pain is getting stronger... is left or so it seems. The more pain I'm experiencing, the closer I feel to being put under the knife once again. First they removed my appendix. What's left?

Are doctors for real? I'm just trying to see the humour in my misery.

Doctors opinion change, thankfully God's word doesn't. He does these things "for the good of those who love him." To me, Romans 8:28 is thousand times better than those pain killers. Just to know that God is in Control, is more than enough for me.

-

-Lloyd

My Best Moments of 2006- Part 2,3,4

Regretably, there has not been one day in this year that I have been healthy. I'm now down with a couple of colds and possible have the flu. Missing two weeks of Varsity is hard enough as it is but I have faith that Jesus will carrry me. So to put a smile on my lovely "New Year" I decided to finally clear out the chesnut on 2006.

Best Moment # 2
Travelling in Italy

This is me inside the Colluseum (Rome)

Travelling with my Bro, Uwen , made the trip all the more better! I decided not to include a great brother photo ( It is his Birthday today, so he rightly deserves to stand solo)!

Best Moment #3
Travelling in Greece

In Athens (for more tour pics see my facebook profile)

Best Moment # 4

Finishing School

My Short Graduation Video

I saved the best for last! Graduating from School is the definately the moment I will savour the most. The year was tough and God carried me through. Since leaving beloved South Africa, to be accepted into UBC, faculty of Science was just a dream. Through the never unending twist and challenges of schooling in 2006, Lord Jesus, there is no way I could have got to UBC on my own. I'm humbled and truly thankful and I will try to make the best of the oppotunities you have blessed me with.

-Lloyd

My Best Moments 2006-Part 1

(Highlights were previously on this blog) click the link here it you did'nt catch it http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4404528073230845704&q=South+Africa+vs+Australia

I am getting better and should be back at University on Wednesday. These highlights of SA vs Aus at the Wanderes certaintly brought more than smile to my face. As a South African fan, it always feels good to get one up against the Aussies. Yes, South Africa holds the record for the most runs scored in an ODI ever! Enjoy. (This is probably the only match I will try to remember after witnessing the Semi Final of World Cup 99 a match where SA folded, after needing just one run to beat the Aussies). -Lloyd

Hello and Happy New Year to You!

Wondered why this blog has been dead for most of this month? I'm recovering!

My New Year has been painful. I've spent the first three days in hospital, the next four recovering at home and from then on it only got worse (in a health wise). After two days back at university the pain resurfaced...

After couple of pain killer's I visited the medical clinic my Dad works at and the doctor suggested I have a blood test. My parent's heard right and my Dad spoke to the surgeon.

Long story short, the surgeon used a scope to have a look inside my tummy. Then he removed my appendix and my appendix appeared normal.I'm at home now and recovering quickly.

The good part about the painful new year, God has truely been merciful untoward me and I have been humbled.

Here's what I know now. People can exhibit the symptoms of bad appendix differently. An appendix can become inflamed and can also return to normal. The question is when will an appendix burst?

My point-it was God who led me to the clinic, after just a simply prayer before going onto a bus while I had the option of staying on campus and resorting to the pain killers my Dad had given me. The surgeon apologized to my parents for the pain I was suffering and he prepared them for the worst and suggested the cause of the pain to be cancer and of course nobody told me. Poor me, lying in a backroom in Emergency blistfully unaware and in pain!(Would have been nice to have known the surgeon's educated guess. Let me tell you now with the pain I was experiencing, to have heard the words "cancer" there is no way I could have coped)!

The blood tests were clean and it was agreed that my appendix be removed. To some that story resembles the worst possible start to the New Year. In and out of the Hospital seems to be great way to spend a holiday.

To me, that was the best New Year yet. I never had the answers to my pain or for that matter my health but I know that there is a God who is Soverign and does these things for good of those who love him. Romans 8:28. Oh ya, I almost forgot...

Happy New Year to you!

-Lloyd

The Perfect Gift

Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days

What gift are you expecting?

Quoting the song "Better Days" by the Goo Dolls I'll start off by saying: "And you ask me what I want this year, And I try to make this kind and clear, Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days, Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings And desire and love and empty things, Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days" So take these words And sing out loud Cuz everyone is forgiven now, Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again."

Simply because of "the one poor who saved this world," we can look forward to better life, life that surpasses all the material things sitting under our christmas tree's.

For even the Son of Man did not come to serve but to serve, and to be a ransom for many." After reading Mark 10:45 we'll find better days because of a Saviour that was born to die.

Merry Chrsitmas to all and to all a Good Night!

-Lloyd

Some Comic Relief

Seinfeld-The Magic Lugi

Exams have been hectic to say the least. No one said Science was for the faint hearted. One exam to go on Friday. Almost there.

-Lloyd

Take Me Home, Country Road

Look at my room before the start of the seemester...


Look at my room now...


Mom, look away!!!

My final week of exams. Man, this seemester exam's has been brutal! Just had a chem tutorial and it appears that my prof had'nt covered all bases. Here's to a night filled with lots of coffee and studying. Friday the day of my final exam, seems a long long long time away.

-Lloyd

A South African's Survival Guide101 to Conquer the Canadian Winter

Checklist:

1 pair of shoes (you do not want your feet get frozen)
1 pair of the thickest socks I can find in my cupboard
1 pair jeans
1 t-shirt
1 long sleeve t-shirt
1 thick Jersey
1 Springbok's Supporter Scarf
1 Snow Jacket
1 Springbok Supporter Beanie
1 pair of gloves

If you do not posses any of these items, the golden rule, What ever clothes you have, make sure you are dressed in layers of clothing!!!

Forecast for the next three days in an African's perspective, not good!
Today -24, Tommorow -26, Don't know what Wednesday will turn out to be but Thursday, it starts snowing again.

Days like these will make me miss the African Sun!

P.S If you do not need to buy food, stay indoors at all times! Set the Central Heating System to 20 degrees Celsius.

-Lloyd

The Tale of Snow White and the South African Eskimos

Winter has arrived. The snow has landed, it is scorching at -6 Celsius. I have to confess, it has been a while since I have last updated my blog. So let me fill you in.

The first semeester of classes is almost complete (ends this week). My exams take place between the 7th and 15th of December.

Now, today was quite an adventure. Today was the first day in our family's happy history in Canada that we did not go to church because of the snow.

We were headed on our way to church, and the van got stuck! A kind couple helped us out and I thought all was good.

Unfortunantly, it was'nt to be. We decided to go back home and low and behold the van got stuck in the driveway. Last time, I checked
the van is still stuck in the driveway, covered in snow.

I guess, as a family, we need to take lessons from good old grizzle bear. When the winter hits, it is time to go into hibernation.You Stay Put in the Cave Until Spring! There is just no better place than home.

-Lloyd

Walking on the Water

Though on the outset the previous two weeks seemed impossible, I have to say 2 things from the last post:
1) Putting my faith in Jesus was the best decision I could have made. His yoke is good His burden is light. Let me tell ya. Resting, relying on Him is what got me through the past two weeks. If I decided not to trust Him I would have got no where. All my deadlines were met and the midterms and labs went well.

2) I'll be out for the next two weeks (long weekend & tons of studying for the finals in December).

Have fun,
-Lloyd