About ivanjosh

Life is like an adventure with many surprises, some of them exciting while others hurting. As we navigate the many unique paths in our journey on earth , each one of us desires that the best of events comes along . Unfortunately as most of us have discovered, this isn’t always the case . As we grow up we learn that co existing with fellow human beings and the rest of nature can only be enjoyable if we play our part of being loving, peaceful, helpful , content and patient . In doing so , we always hope that the rest will do the same though still this is not always the case. How we handle those who don`t is what makes us different from others. Ivan has grown up in many different ecological niches.A husband and a father, Ivan spent most of his life in Africa. The transition to North America has given him a different taste of climate, culture, friends and many more. One fact remains, the world is a beautiful place; God made it perfect for us to live in. As a Christian , Ivan shares his view of how to appreciate,celebrate and utilize the variety of pleasant experiences we encounter in life and how to handle the many complex real life challenges we face. As we read , we have the liberty to contribute through comments to the extent we fill comfortable.

Manifestation on my fasting day

Posted on September 20, 2014 by ivanjosh

I wrote down the following account on Aug 8, 2013 after a prayer session on my day of fasting: I asked the Lord, so that I gain capacity to view things in the spirit. About fifteen seconds into my prayer, flames yellow quickly becoming white surrounded our Lord, signifying His greatness. Rapid events followed and again I saw that He was fighting off two or three giant evil men who were trying to surround us ( me and my family). Immediately I learnt that this was happening yesterday – I had thrown a wall hanging- The spirit was telling me so when that was taken away; To be contnued in the next post

Spiritual dream follow up -How the day`s event ended

Posted on September 15, 2014 by ivanjosh

When a stranger provides a free service which would other wise be expensive and says he is helping a friend, this is surely God at work. This is what happened after a long wait to have my plumbing problem fixed. In the past 2 posts I explained how I had a dream and how it unfolded in reality after I woke up.

As I pateintly waited for the plumber to come by, I wondered why all this had happened in the first place. We had contained the leakage but the main problem hadn`t been fully solved. The water service man had successfully closed off the main supply to the house, but now I was faced with a possible huge plumbing bill after a professional plumber`s work on the problem. During the day I had rejected the quiick offer by another retired plumber since I had an earlier booking with another company.

The one I was waiting for finally came to the house in the afternoon after a long wait. Very friendly he started working. As he worked he realised that he was missing a certain part. I had suggested that we use an older one in the house but he opted to go and buy from a building store. This would normally increase the bill for his service. He took long to return but he apologized for this when he arrived. He did all his work diligently and after finishing he cleaned up even after I insisted that he did not have to. As he was leaving I asked him to give me an idea of how much the bill was and when it would be sent in so that I know how much I was going to pay. He repleid that he was helping a friend or a friend of a friend so all the work and the part he bought and the kindness he showed were free of charge! Surely I saw the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living – Psalm 27:13.

Follow up to “Spiritual Dream”

Posted on August 31, 2014 by ivanjosh

Not so long after the dream ( Please read my previous post to get the background of today`s post), I was in the wash room wen I realized that there was water leakage. This wouldn’t be a serious problem in many of the houses in Africa, but the material used to construct houses in North America generally doesn’t go well with water leakage. Profound destruction of the house can occur within only I hour of serious water leakage. I tried to stop it but failed; it was around midnight when all this happened. I tried to locate the main tap to the house in order to close it but this also failed. The leakage was rapidly filling whatever container it was dripping into meaning that I would have to be awake the whole night, emptying and putting back the containers.

I called my neighbour who quickly came and headed to the basement to close the main tap but he failed. The leaking continued. It was now approximately 1 am. Another neighbour joined us and the first one to come left- he had been at my place so long trying to stop the leakage but had failed. The second neighbour failed too and suggested we call the water department`s emergency number. Their duty was to locate and close the main valve on the street from which my house receives the water. The man was very good to us and did his level best to locate the valve but failed, it was close to 2am. Meanwhile everyone was very sleepy, I had gotten tired from running in and out of the house and it appeared like the neighbour and water service man were also frustrated by the lack of a solution to the problem. I was wondering why all this happened at night and why the solution wasn’t forth coming. Space and time do not allow me to write all the details of what we went through but the whole process was very distressing.

The service man promised to come back later in the morning with colleagues and special gadgets, the neighbour would help me find a commercial plumber man and I had to deal with the water leakage till some time during the day when help comes. By the way I also had to get ready with finances- plumbing services are not cheap. Together with the neighbour we stepped back to my bathroom one more time and we were able to temporarily reduce the water leakage so that it would allow just one container till morning. It was not easy , but with God`s help we managed. God brought an idea to my mind which I presented to the neighbour and he was happy to try it out with me. We parted company with my neighbour at about 2:30am and I went to sleep .

But this was just the beginning of God providing a way, later during the day more amazing things happened as I will write in the next post. Please don’t miss my next post as I share more on the amazing love of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Dream

Posted on August 7, 2014 by ivanjosh

After checking and determining that the position of the truck seemed un safe , I decided to back up ( reverse) a little further. Within me I knew this was un necessary but I decided to do it any way, just to make sure that the truck was parked in a safe place. As it backed up , the truck descended into a ditch which I had not seen earlier, making the characteristic sound as it did so. Part of the truck, specifically the front wheels were still on the upper ground but the hind wheels had gone further down the ditch.

I jumped out and headed towards the hind side to get a clear view of what had happened. Indeed , the truck had gone into the ditch and there was damage to the body of the truck.My mind started wondering why I had backed up further in the first place, but that was not all. How was I going to get the truck out- those who are familiar with my body build know what am talking about!

It was then that I realized that a lady was standing besides me.Dreams will always be dreams; at first I thought I knew the lady but now I can`t even speak with confidence if I knew her. During this time and encounter I didn`t even know that I was dreaming. She looked on calmly and didn`t say much if she did at all, but she communicated with me somehow, I later would determine that the communication was through the spirit. Her communication and presence gave me reassurance that whatever decision I was choosing was the right one and going a head with it would provide good results. I would later ( after waking up) discover that all this would have a real life meaning.The problem showed up in another form , nothing related to a vehicle. The problem was to cause too much distress, but with the guidance of God I would pull through. The decisions I would later take would determine how quick and the ease with which the solution helped with the problem.

She looked on as the truck got back to the level ground out of the ditch. I don`t exactly remember if I physically did anything to remove the truck from the ditch but I remember noting the damage to its body.

( NB: This is a real story as it happened to Ivan :To be continued another day)

Why me? – A common question

Posted on July 12, 2014 by ivanjosh

This week, I promised to talk about some topics that affect many people and I would like to start today.

Why me? I can`t claim to be an authority on this subject, but I know you will agree with me that by adulthood almost everyone has asked themselves this question some time in their life. May be an agonizing situation has happened and you think life is unfair. You are probably heartbroken by a recent failure or diagnosis. It may be that your children are not listening to you or your boss has grossly mis understood you and your job is at stake. Or probably you`ve applied to hundreds of jobs and even attended interviews but you aren`t getting an appointment. It could be that your future wife or husband is taking too long to come along, the list of possibilities is endless.

In John 14, Jesus promises the holy spirit who will be a counselor. The counselor reminds us of what Jesus said. Jesus added that He lives us with peace ( vs 27) and that we should not let our hearts be troubled. I believe Jesus knew that troubling moments would come. In Luke 18 Jesus tells a parable of a persistent widow illustrating that we should not give up in prayer. This is a powerful parable , please find time to read it ( Luke 18: 1-8).

Let`s also remember to keep rejoicing in all circumstances. We read in Habakkuk a message about rejoicing though there may be no thriving in some aspects of our lives at the moment ( Chap 3 : 17- 18). When we rejoice amidst troubles we keep our hopes high and demonstrate that the Lord we know is stronger than every problem and can solve them all.

As I conclude in Mathew 7: 7-12 Jesus informs us to ask and it will be given unto us.

As believers we should remember that what is seen is temporary in contrast to what is unseen which exists forever ( 2 Cor 4:18). Our eyes should be fixed on what is unseen. The problems faced on earth are momentary when compared to the eternal life we hope to get through Jesus.

If you find this information useful I encourage you to send this link to your loved ones and other persons: https://pleasantwordsheal.wordpress.com/ They will find many more real life changing information with a Christian approach.

Some interesting potential up-coming posts` titles

Posted on July 11, 2014 by ivanjosh

-Why me? – A common question.

-If its not about making others happy, what is the purpose of your living?

-Is it really possible to forgive?

-How do you leave a good life after a series of poor choices?

Trust in fellow man?

Posted on June 13, 2014 by ivanjosh

Over the years many of us have learnt that trusting in fellow men brings disappointments. Yet after a series of disappointments, we keep on doing the same. The Bible informs us in Jeremiah 17: 5-8 that they that trust in man are cursed adding on that they will not see prosperity when it comes. Personally , the most successful moments of my life have been when I have had a strong relationship with God. I am not trying to say that I am the most righteous person and neither am I telling every one to distrust others. But what am saying is that true happiness comes from God and knowing our Lord Jesus. The mentioned chapter in Jeremiah informs us that the man who trusts in God is blessed and never fails to bear fruit.

Do you have problems with tithing?

Posted on April 8, 2014 by ivanjosh

Read this as a humble message from someone who loves and cares, not one who judges. It`s what the Lord has put upon my heart to share.

Many born again Christians encounter problems with tithing. It`s something that is not uncommon, hurting and “eating” up the inside of someone who knows they are supposed to do so but fail for one reason or another.Many diligently spare time immediately after their pay day and carefully calculate the tenth but find that they still cant tithe. Yes some Christians may disregard tithing completely or for a period; today am not talking about these. But I am referring to those who set aside time to calculate the tithe each time a pay slip or cheque comes in, only to find themselves failing to tithe.

The main reason for this is failure to have a long term plan for tithing- In other words when we make our long term plans, our ability to tithe while carrying out those plans must be considered. The examples given below will make this clear. If we feel that tithing will be hampered while executing those plans, then we have to change them. A good number of people are good at making monthly plans for tithing although some do not follow through with the tithing. This shows that short term plans alone are not good enough. All of us should have the long term plans for tithing. Consider the following useful tips;

Planning to tithe doesn`t only start before you spend any money from your pay slip.

Pray for God`s wisdom concerning this. Prayer (Mathew 21:22)
Start planning before buying a car. Ask you self “after tithing, will I have enough money to fuel the car and service it?” Not – “will there be enough money for tithing after the car expenses?” If the answer is no to the previous question, then you probably need a cheaper car or you are not yet ready to own a car currently . If you obtained a loan, will the monthly loan payment be enough after the tithe? If you start with buying the car before asking your self those questions ,you increase your chances of not tithing because the monthly expenses might go beyond your income.
Before renting an apartment or acquiring a loan for a house, find out if you will be able to tithe before your monthly expenses on the house. You probably need a cheaper house or apartment. Don`t first acquire an apartment or house and think about tithing later. Before starting to build your house, will you faithfully tithe each month during the building project? Or is this going to hamper the tithing? If so put off the building for some time.
Before choosing a school or course of education , will you be able to tithe and pay the tuition? Ask your self if you probably need a cheaper school. Don`t first get an expensive school and convince yourself that you will tithe anyway. This is the trap many have fallen into.
In summary, think about tithing before considering not only your monthly budget but also your long term projects. Change your projects if you will not be able to tithe and fulfill them, go for cheaper alternatives or abandon them if they will hamper tithing.

The truth is if you don`t consider all those and the like before taking them up, you might be pressured into thinking they are more important than tithing when funds aren’t enough.

May God bless you

Confidence a midst troubles (continued)

Posted on February 17, 2014 by ivanjosh

God wants us to trust Him despite all situations. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8: 37-39).

Trials and temptations happen so frequently that instead of trying the futile attempt of running away from them, adopting an attitude of effectively dealing with them is better. Sometimes when we face trials and some one comes to strengthen us, within us we say “its because its not happening to you.” but we can be positive about our prevailing situation if we think of two things:

The high priest we have ( Our Lord Jesus) empathizes with our weaknesses and was also tempted yet He did not sin. ( Rd Hebrews 4: 15). He understands what we are going through and will redeem us. In Hebrews 4 :16, we are urged to confidently approach the throne of God so that we receive mercy and help when we are in need.
The testing of our faith yields perseverance which in turn brings about completeness and maturity.

I pray that the good Lord leads you safely from the situation you are going through and may His name be glorified,

Confidence a midst troubles

Posted on February 8, 2014 by ivanjosh

Some time around the beginning of of the year 2011 while moving in a small village in the southern part of Africa I met a sister in the Lord with a stab wound on her face; in the last months of the previous year, there had been three robberies in my neighbourhood; still around the same time one of the families in the small village had two of their children murdered on separate occasions.

Friends we had known for some time had lost their jobs; some christian couples have adulterous spouses; accidents happen and people are either hurt or die; you probably are not sure how you are going to pay your bills or cater for your children`s tuition; you are not being promoted at your job and as if that`s not enough, the people you train are promoted instead; You`ve waited so long for a marriage partner but haven’t been successful yet; Up to now you are still waiting for your healing; the list is endless.

Many- including some Christians- thus say that faith in our Lord is difficult to maintain when faced with such situations. The resulting discouragement leads to dangerous compromise. We then end up with a bunch of many people going for Sunday prayers and even midweek devotions but lacking confidence in God. The temptation then is to trust in other things e.g. power, people, money which leads to further failure. ( Psalm 20:7).