Give yourself

Seems like I’m still in the “giving” theme.  This quote comes from Juan Carlos Ortiz.

Now we must make a concrete application. When we speak about love or anything else in the Bible, we must be specific, or it is like sewing without first making a knot at the end of the thread. You can sew and sew and sew, but things stay the same as they always were. Sometimes we even try to sew without any thread at all—just the needle. All we do is make little holes. But the garment stays torn because we don’t take specific steps to conserve our gains.
God does not say, “Love your neighbors.” You cannot love the whole world. He says, “Love your neighbor.” So take one person, one family. Start to pray for that family. Start to look for their problems, their needs—spiritual, material, psychological, all kinds of needs.
Don’t go to them with a tract; you will look like a sales-man. Go to sell yourself. Go to give yourself to them. Let them know that you love them, and give your service to them.  We had an older lady in Argentina who, as she put it, “could never win a soul to Jesus.” (Actually, we don’t believe in winning souls; we believe in winning the soul, body, and spirit—the whole person.) She had been in the church many years. But one day the Lord showed her His Love. She understood that God didn’t send a tract from heaven; He sent His Son, who came and lived with us and healed people. He helped us and shared with us.
The woman decided she could do the same thing.  In front of where she lived was a house for rent. As soon as the new people arrived, she was prepared. She went over with coffee and donuts and said, “I’m bringing you something to eat, because I know you’ve just moved, and you don’t have things ready for cooking yet. I’ll come back later to get the dishes—don’t bother to wash them, because I know you’re busy.  “And by the way, if you want to know about the grocery store, it’s at such-and-such a corner ….” She didn’t put a tract under the donut. She just brought the food and gave them help.  After awhile she came back to get the dishes. She said, “If you need something else, I’m here. If you want anything, I’ll be glad to help you.”
She never preached about Christ. But a month later the whole family was baptized because of the light she had brought them.  Jesus didn’t say, “Let your mouth speak before men in such a way that they may hear your nice words and glorify your Father.” He said, “Let your light shine”—your love!

But I have nothing to give

Yes, you have, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Some people I meet, tell me that they want to do some kind of missionary work or want to do “something”. I usually tell them to go. Then the excuses start. They do not speak well. What will they do when they get there? The unknown is always scary and I can sympathize with that. Here is some advice. Connect with people that are already in the field and tag along. And when you get there…Be a servant. Wash the dishes. Clean the floor. Plant some flowers. Look for opportunities to help out and serve.

If you come to South Africa, come to love. Be ready to hold children. God gave you two arms. Use them to show love. You may think that this is too simple, but it’s not. Bill Kinnon’s daughter and her best friend were here in South Africa teaching art at an orphanage. You can read all about it on their blog, but there is one post I want you to read. It’s called “A giggle of joy”. Look at the pic. That is what you CAN do. I will never forget the first day when Anette(my better half), came home and told me she had to “teach” the mother of a 15 year old boy how to hug him. As in “this arm goes here, that hand should hold there. His head should be here.” In 15 years he has never been hugged. In 15 she never told him that she loved him. He was not the exception. We have 10 year olds running households because the parents died of AIDS. I’m very sure they need a hug or two.

So there you have it. You have enough to give. Come anytime.

Freedom

I want to introduce you to one of the people in my blogroll.  Neil Carter.  His blogsite is called Christ in Y’all.  He also has a website with the same name.  He was one of the first people I discovered on the internet that wrote stuff that spoke to my heart in a way I’ve seldom experienced before.

Followers of Jesus (all over the world), are discovering the freedom that can only be found in Jesus.  Well, Neil wrote a study on Galatians called “Free at last”.  We read it at presicely the right time and it gave words to what we felt at the time.  I consider it one of the most important pieces ever written on freedom in Jesus.

I’t can be found on an old version of his site here.  I’ve put it together in a PDF document.  Download it, read it and study it.  Do it slowly.  Take your time.  It’s brilliant.

Free At Last

Here is an abstract.

But by far the most significant thing about these two lists is that Paul calls the activities of the flesh “works,” while he calls the activities of the Spirit “fruit.” What is the difference? Only the difference between two completely different worlds! If there is one word which describes how the flesh operates, it is the word “works.” What we need to realize is that most of the things we have been doing for God are works, rather than fruit.
Did you know that the flesh wants to serve God just as much as the Spirit? Only the Spirit does it because the Father wants it, while the flesh does things for God in order to look better.

Neil also wrote a book called Christ in Y’all.(There seems to be a recurring theme.) It can be bought at amazon or you can download the abridged eBook.

I hope it will have the same impact on you.  God bless.

Question 13

What struck me about the people around Jesus is that the worse they felt about themselves, the likelier they saw Jesus as a refuge.  Peter could not wait to get to Jesus after he betrayed Jesus.  A prostitute entered the home of a Pharisee to wash the feet of Jesus.  That is a pretty hostile environment for a prostitute.  The down-and-out were never afraid to touch Jesus and always tried to be close to Him.

My question then is this:  Do we(the church) have the same effect on people?

Children

Consider these words by Frederick Buechner.

We are children, perhaps, at the very moment when we know that it is as children that God loves us—not because we have deserved His love and not in spite of our undeserving; not because we try and not because we recognize the futility of our trying; but simply because He has chosen to love us. We are children because He is our Father; and all our efforts, fruitful and fruitless, to do good, to speak truth, to understand, are the efforts of children who, for all their precocity, are children still in that before we loved Him, He loved us, as children, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sometimes there’s a comfort in knowing that God loves me as a child.  I will never forget the day we came back from work only to find out, we’ve been burgled.  The thieves went through our home and had thrown everything on the floor.  It was a mess.  Everything was lying all over the place.  You could hardly walk.  In came Laura.  I think she was about 2 years old.  She looked around and started to sing her favourite song.  Then she proceeded to skip and hop over the mess.  She was totally happy.  I remember thinking, “This is from God.  God is showing me…something.”  He was there, in the mess.

Now and then, I look at the world and see the terrible and heartbreaking stuff that’s happening.  I tend to grow “old” and cynical.  Doom and gloom can take a hold.

Mike Yaconelli wrote this in his introduction of “Dangerous wonder”.  When I was six years old, my favourite comic book character was Superman. I admired his strength, his x-ray vision, his colourful uniform and bright red cape. What captured my imagination most was Superman’s ability to fly. Many of my childhood fantasies were about flying. I wanted to fly! I honestly believed flying was still a possibility. I would talk my friends into playing Superman, and they would play for a while, but soon they would tire of the game because I wouldn’t let anyone else be Superman. I had to be Superman, I told them, because I knew more about flying than they did.

Sneaking into my parents’ bathroom, I would find the stash of forbidden towels (the thick, new ones reserved only for guests). Once outside, with the towel tied around my neck and dragging on the dirt behind me, I would run as fast as I could and jump off the highest survivable launching pad I could find. With arms outstretched, cape billowing behind me, wind rushing past my ears, I believed I was flying.

Then came a day when, without warning, without provocation, I woke up, never to wear a “cape” again. Wherever the knowledge came from, it came nonetheless, and from that moment on I knew flying was nothing more than a childhood fantasy. I would never fly … and there is no Superman.

In retrospect, my day of “enlightenment” was a very sad day. I know now that something inside of me died that day. Whatever the “something” was, it was the stuff of dreams and imagination—the place where dancing, singing, laughter, and playing lived. Even at six, I understood that the possibility of flying wasn’t the point: it was the aliveness I felt when I thought I could fly; it was the voice I heard deep inside—a warm and loving voice, a living, believing voice, a wild and dangerous voice. Every time I heard that voice, I recognized who it was: God. But that day, when I was just six years young, my God-hearing went bad.

My God-hearing also goes bad from time to time.  But then, God reminds me of the time Jesus said we should “become like little children”.  God loves me as a child and with that, the doom and gloom seems to lift and a world full of wonder and promise opens up.  A world where God is present in the mess.

Thank You Father!!

I’m one of them

This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden, under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see-brigands on the high roads, pirates on the seas; in the amphitheaters men murdered to please applauding crowds; under all roofs misery and selfishness. It is really a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. Yet in the midst of it I have found a quiet and holy people. They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasures of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians – and I am one of them. – Cyprian (?-258), a letter

Nobody noticed

Sometimes I think Jesus was a genius.  Well of course He is… He is the Son of God…DU!!!

I’m talking about the Kingdom of God.  The Israelites knew all about kingdoms.  They had their own for a short while.  They knew the Egyptian one from long ago.  The Babylonian one was still with them.  The Roman Empire came by.  They definitely knew all about kingdoms.  Having your own meant you were the boss.  Not having one meant you were on the lower end of the food chain.  Even the devil knew about kingdoms.  The obvious way to freedom was to have your own.  The the only way to have your own, or to hang on to your own, is through a lot of effort and lots of fighting.

Then one day a Baby was born.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I AM the way, the truth, and the life
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I AM the true vine
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Our Father in heaven
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
You cannot serve God and money
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Stretch out your hand
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I am the good shepherd.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench,
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
So the last will be first, and the first last
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
For they preach, but do not practice.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I AM the door
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me,
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Take, eat; this is my body.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Lazarus, come out.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Neither do I condemn you
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
And they crucified Him and divided his garments among them,
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
And … no one noticed a new kingdom
It Is Finished!
And … no one noticed a new kingdom

The devil probably noticed that something was happening, but he probably was thinking most of the time. “WTF”  (For those of you that don’t know, the Christian version would be,”Oh my goodness, what’s going on here?)

Leo Tolstoy wrote a book called “The Kingdom of God Is Within You”.  What a title.  Dallas Willard said that each of us have our own little kingdom and I agree with him.  We all have this small space where we rule.  Jesus came, and without anyone noticing it, established the Kingdom of God here on earth.  One that works the opposite of all our earthly kingdoms.  He does the same within our little kingdoms.  Question – “Will we notice it?”   The thing with a kingdom is that it means freedom.  I can do what I want, when I want.  Money and power are some of the best means to help me to be free.  Jesus however said “Seek first the kingdom of God.”  The kingdom of God implies God is the ruler.  Do I really want that in my life?

And then…
I start to notice a glimpse here and a hint there.  God is here!!  And it strikes me.  If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!

The devil is probably still going “WTF”

Hope

These last few months, I’ve retreated deep within myself. There’s a struggle there that I have no words for. Perhaps struggle is the wrong word. It’s just a retreat to nowhere in particular. Lots of thinking about….everything….nothing and all in-between. Perhaps I have too much time on my hands My humour tends to be cynical and my mood varies from pessimistic to gloominess. Perhaps I should say before any alarm bells go off, that I feel God close to me. There is no despair in my life. Am I making any sense? I think I am in-between seasons and I know I can trust God with what’s coming.

I think some of my gloominess comes from what’s happening in our country. Perhaps I can show you a glimpse of the despair and hope that is part of our everyday lives.

About a week and a half ago we went to NAMPO. It’s an agricultural trade show. It’s a wonder-world for children and adults. Here are some pics.

Laura with one of the biggest tractors.

Hey dad, can we take this one home, please!!

Which lever to pull?

Will this fit in the car?  Please dad….oh….mom!!!

They did this all day.
As you can see it is one of those things you just have to do if you have kids.

NAMPO also has this.

It’s a monument dedicated to all the farmers and their families that has been killed since 1994. Basically, it’s a wall of remembrance. The names are put on each wall, according to the province they have been killed in. Over 3000 have been killed we are still counting . They are soft targets.  Many have been killed coming back from church on Sundays.  Most of them are older than 55 years. The oldest person killed was 95 years old. The youngest…..3 years.

Kwazulu-Natal the province with the most deaths.  I sometimes wonder what will the outcry be in countries like Australia, America, France etc. if they lose that many farmers.  Here, it is part of life.  Sometimes, words fail me…

South Africa is a violent country.  We have about 20 000 murders a year.  Everybody here have been touched by crime of violence in some way.
It is in times like these where we are tempted to simply give up, give in and surrender.  But if there is one thing South Africa has shown me, it is this:  “Hope is not far away from darkness and despair.”

South Africa a beautiful country with people that love life.  South Africans have a sparkle in their eyes.  Where there is despair, hope also shines strong.

This is where Jesus comes in.  I’ve always wondered (and still do) how Jesus kept His eyes on His Father with everything that was happening around Him?  There were so much injustice around Him.  His own people were suppressed by the Romans.  Violence was a common language.  Social and economic circumstances weren’t looking good and the future outlook was bleak.   People were split into factions.  Even the religious had a plan on how to get God to come quickly and save them

Somehow Jesus kept His eyes on His Father, and by doing that, He brought Hope to the world.  When economic systems fail us, when violence bares it’s teeth, when our social situation do not improve, we have Hope because He showed us the heart of the Father inside the storm.  We(followers of Jesus) have the opportunity to do the same.  When we “behold” Jesus, we too can walk into the storm and give hope.

God bless

They were fat

If you go to Servant Quarters from Gayle D. Erwin, you will find these “truths” under his humor page. Every few years I go back and re-read all of them.  Here are three of my favorites.

Samson
Usually, Hollywood portrays Samson as being a musclebound womanizer. They are right as far as the womanizer is concerned but not as far as his looks are concerned. If he had looked like Arnold Schwartzenegger, Delilah would not have had to ask where his strength lay. I believe, based on internal evidence in the story, that Samson was short, fat and wore suspenders. Obviously, Delilah would be mystified as to his strength. When Samson erred and let Delilah know that his uncut hair was the source of his strength, he became short, fat, bald and wore suspenders.

Gideon’s Band
Whenever you hear the story of the downsizing of Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300, that final cut that reduced the army from 10,000 to 300 came at a spring at the base of Mount Tabor. “You know the story,” as Jon Courson would say. They were all told to drink and the ones who got down on all fours and drank like a dog were rejected. Those chosen were the ones who, perhaps on one knee, scooped up the water by hand and lifted it to their mouths.

You have always heard that they were chosen because they were the watchful ones, ready for battle. The internal evidence does not support that conclusion. God was reducing this army to the few who would know that they did not win the battle, the few who were the least likely to claim the glory for the victory. Therefore, the ones who scooped up the water with one hand were those who were too fat or disabled to get on their hands and knees. In fact, they were probably all short, fat, bald and wore suspenders.

Peter, James and John
Recent studies have changed my view of Peter, James and John. I have always thought of them as the inner circle, the elite three, the ones Jesus wanted closest to him. But now, after studying them again, I have come to the conclusion that they were not the inner circle or the elite, but instead they were the “remedial group” that Jesus had to have close to him at all times because they were such slow learners, and he could not trust them back with the other guys.

A prayer worth praying

Lord, help safeguard us against the slippage from Christ to Christian to Christianity. (Os Guinness)

Amen