payneofgrace

Get off your butt!!

2012-01-30T06:28:00.001+02:00

So last Friday night we had a discussion about getting off your butt and not being lazy... What does this look like? Well I am not 100% sure myself but I do think that we can learn a lot from people that have gone before us, one person that I have taken the time to read more about (Thanks to the insight of Neil on the topic)is Dietrich Bonhoeffer the read on the link is long but so worth it. I have copied some of the article on the works of Bonhoffer just to give a taste of how this guy didn't spend his days on his butt... Bonhoffer died at the age of 39 years old.

> Sanctorum Communio.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 1 . Dietrich
Bonhoeffer; Clifford Green, Editor Translated by Reinhard Krauss and Nancy
Lukens. Hardcover, 392 pages; 978- 0- 8006- 8301- 6 and Paperback, 386 pages;
978- 0- 8006- 9652- 8. Bonhoeffer's dissertation, completed in 1927 and first
published in 1930 as Sanctorum Communio: eine Dogmatische Untersuchung
zur Soziologie der Kirche . In it he attempts to work out a theology of the person
in society, and particularly in the church. Along with explaining his early positions
on sin, evil, solidarity, collective spirit, and collective guilt , it unfolds a systematic
theology of the Spirit at work in the church and what it implies for questions on
authority, freedom, ritual, and eschatology.

> Act and Being.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 2 . Dietrich Bonhoeffer;
Wayne Whitson Floyd and Hans Richard Reuter, Editors; Translated by H. Martin
Rumscheidt. Hardcover, 256 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8302- 3 . Bonhoeffer’s second
dissertation, written in 1929– 30 and published in 1931 as Akt und Sein , deals
with the consciousness and conscience in theology from the perspective of the
Reformation 's insight into the origin sinfulness in the “heart turned in upon itself
and thus open neither to the revelation of God nor to the encounter with the
neighbor.” Bonhoeffer’s thoughts about power, revelation, Otherness, theological
method, and theological anthropology are explained.

> Creation and Fall.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 3 . Dietrich
Bonhoeffer; John W. De Gruchy, Editor Translated by Douglas Stephen Bax. In
1932 Bonhoeffer called on his students at the University of Berlin to focus their
attention on the word of God, the word of truth, in a time of turmoil. Hardcover,
214 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8303-0 . Paper, 224 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8323- 8 .

> Discipleship.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4 . Dietrich Bonhoeffer;
John D. Dodsey and Geoffrey B. Kelly, Editors. Originally published in 1937, this
book soon became a classic exposition of what it means to follow Christ in a
modern world beset by a dangerous and criminal government. Hardcover, 384
pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8304- 7. Paper, 354 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8324-5 .

> Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works,
Volume 5. Dietrich Bonhoeffer; James H. Burtness and Geffrey B. Kelly, Editors;
Translated by Daniel W. Bloesch. Hardcover, 242 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8305- 4.
Paper, 232 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8325- 2.

> Life Together is a classic which contains
Bonhoeffer's meditation on the nature of Christian community. Prayerbook of
the Bible is a classic meditation on the importance of the Psalms for Christian
prayer . In this theological interpretation of the Psalms, Bonhoeffer describes the
moods of an individual’s relationship with God and also the turns of love and
heartbreak, of joy and sorrow, that are themselves the Christian community’s
path to God.

>Ethics.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 6. Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Clifford
Green, Editor; Translated by Reinhard Krauss, Douglas W. Stott, and Charles C.
West. The crown jewel of Bonhoeffer’s body of work, Ethics is the culmination of
his theological and personal odyssey. Hardcover, 544 pages :
978- 0- 8006- 8306- 1. Paperback, 605 pages : 978- 0- 8006- 8326-9 .

> Fiction from Tegel Prison.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 7 . Dietrich
Bonhoeffer; Clifford Green, Editor Translated by Nancy Lukens. The writings in
this book disclose much of Bonhoeffer’s family context, social work, and cultural
milieu. Hardcover, 288 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8307- 8. Writing fiction— an
incomplete drama, a novel fragment, and a short story— occupied much of
Bonhoeffer’s first year in Tegel prison, as well as writing to his family and his
fiancée and dealing with his interrogation. “There is a good deal of
autobiography mixed in with it,” he explained to his friend and biographer
Eberhard Bethge. Richly annotated by German editors Renate Bethge and Ilse
Todt and by Clifford Green, the writings in this book disclose a great deal of
Bonhoeffer’s family context, social world, and cultural milieu. Events from his life
are recounted in a way that illuminates his theology. Characters and situations
that represent Nazi types and attitudes became a form of social criticism and
help to explain Bonhoeffer’s participation in the resistance movement and the
plot to kill Hitler.

> Letters and Papers from Prison.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 8.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer; John W. de Gruchy, Editor; Translated by Isabel Best; Lisa E.
Dahill; Reinhard Krauss; Nancy Lukens. This splendid volume, in many ways the
capstone of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, is the first unabridged collection of
Bonhoeffer's 1943–1945 prison letters and theological writings. Here are over
200 documents that include extensive correspondence with his family and
Eberhard Bethge (much of it in English for the first time), as well as his
theological notes, and his prison poems. The volume offers an illuminating
introduction by editor John de Gruchy and an historical Afterword by the editors
of the original German volume: Christian Gremmels, Eberhard Bethge, and
Renate Bethge. Hardcover, 800 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 9703- 7.

> The Young Bonhoeffer, 1918–1927.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 9 .
Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Paul Duane Metheny, Editor. Gathers Bonhoeffer’s 100
earliest letters and journals from after the First World War through his graduation
from Berlin University. Hardcover, 720 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8309- 2. This work
gathers his earliest letters and journals through his graduation from Berlin
University . It also contains his early theological writings up to his dissertation.
The seventeen essays include works on the patristic period for Adolf von Harnack ,
on Luther's moods for Karl Holl, on biblical interpretation for Professor Reinhold
Seeberg, as well as essays on the church and eschatology, reason and revelation,
Job, John, and even joy. Rounding out this picture of Bonhoeffer's nascent
theology are his sermons from the period, along with his lectures on homiletics,
catechesis, and practical theology.
Barcelona, Berlin, New York: 1928–1931 .

> Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works,
Volume 10. Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Clifford Green, Editor. This period from 1928 to
1931, which followed completion of his dissertation, was formative for
Bonhoeffer’s personal, pastoral, and theological direction. Hardcover, 790 pages:
978- 0- 8006- 8330- 6.

> Ecumenical, Academic and Pastoral Work: 1931–1932 , Dietrich
Bonhoeffer’s Works, Volume 11 , is a translation of Ökumene, Universität,
Pfarramt: 1931–1932 and with a pending 2012 release. Hardcover, 576 pages:
978- 0- 8006- 9838- 6. [37] .
Berlin: 1932–1933.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 12 . Dietrich
Bonhoeffer; Larry L. Rasmussen, Editor. Translated by Isabel Best, David Higgins,
and Douglas W. Stott. Berlin documents the crisis of 1933 in Germany as
Bonhoeffer taught “on a faculty whose theology he did not share.” Hardcover,
650 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8312-2 .
London, 1933–1935 .

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Works, Volume 13 . Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Keith C. Clements, Editor Translated by Isabel Best. Includes records
and minutes of his congregational meetings, reports from international
conferences from 1934, more than 20 sermons he preached in London, and
more. Hardcover, 550 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8313- 9.

> Theological Education at Finkenwalde: 1935–1937 , Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s
Works, Volume 14, is a translation of Illegale Theologenausbildung: 1935–
1937, and is "Not Yet Published".
Theological Education Underground: 1937–1940, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s
Works, Volume 15 , is a translation of Illegale Theologenausbildung: 1937–
1940. Hardcover, 750 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 9815-7 [38] .

> Conspiracy and Imprisonment 1940–1945. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works,
Volume 16 . Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Mark Brocker, Editor Translated by Lisa E.
Dahill. Hundreds of letters, including 10 never before published letters to his
fiancée, Maria von Wedemeyer, as well as official documents, short original
pieces, and his final sermons. Hardcover, 912 pages: 978- 0- 8006- 8316-0 .

Some pics of our amazing holiday...

2011-01-24T19:30:00.002+02:00

So we arrived in Dubai on our adventure as Debbie would call it, we have had an amazing time so far shopping in some of the worlds biggest malls. we then headded out to one of the most amazing places I have ever been... Atlantis!

just to share a bit of the magic with you here are some pics of what we have experienced so far

The Burj Kalifa

The fish tank in the hotel

Atlantis at night

An ariel view of the aqua park

Atlantis from the beach

The tallest building in the world

The beach

the sunset from our room balcony

Putting Life into perspective one rock at a time

2011-01-04T08:34:00.000+02:00

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full?

They agreed it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them in to the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full? They agreed yes, it was.

The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life..."

“The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children" Anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.

“The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scal". The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car.

“The sand is everything else. The small stuff". If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life!

If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important. Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix things. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.”

So here we come 2011...

2011-01-03T22:17:00.002+02:00

So whats the plan for the year ahead? as we look into the year that has so swiftly left us and is now a thing of the past we would be unfair not to look at what has come and gone...

this last Sunday we had a chance to share in the blessings that we received and how they have affected us, I didn't get to share mine so here they are:

Very happy in a job that has opened huge doors to be help those in need

There was a chance of an addition to our Family, that door was closed in His all knowing and understanding of things

D finally got to stop working due to the change in job

there are many more things that i could mention but this would be the longest post ever... there is just one thing that needs to be mentioned and that is the issue of Faith, so often this is something that is spoken about but very rarely practised! i really think that the past year has showed that despite how we try to put God in a box He keeps revealing how big He really is! This was something that really struck home to me... as much as we think we know what the future holds we don't!
so with that being said what can we expect in 2011? "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart"

A better husband

A faithful servant

A better Steward

A better Employee

Never underestimate God and what he can do!

Dont talk on your phone while driving...

2010-11-08T08:54:00.001+02:00

While driving to work the other morning I heard a tragic story in the Uk about a truck driver that was busy playing poker on his cell phone while driving, what he didn't anticipate was the fact that there was road works in progress and the traffic had come to a stop! He proceeded to collide into the back of the car in front of him and then into the car in front of him. The result was one person dying from the incident...

I proceeded to tell my in laws about this and asked if they had seen or heard about it? I was them informed that Oprah was busy doing a "no phone on the road campaign"... I very quickly lashed out and said she should rather do something useful and have a "no killing of unborn baby campaign".

Then I started thinking about the issue, now I don't want to say that people dying on the road because of negligence is ok... But its so much easier to not to use your cell on the road, instead of fighting for the rights of the unborn!

I want to start my own campaign... Don't think it will be as effective as the one Oprah has but I am willing to give it a try. We had some posters (from our pro life week we had last year) that I will add to this post later for you to download and stick on your car to try and make a difference.

And its still against the law to drive and talk on your cell at the same time in SA

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Talking out of both sides of your mouth...

2010-06-04T22:34:00.000+02:00

This week there was an article in the national news paper that really grabbed my attention and got me thinking.

The headline reads:

MaNtuli's infidelity exposed...

"The star has reliably and independently learnt that MaNtuli spent the festive season away from her husband (who has multiple wives-inserted), after it emerged that she had committed adultery..."

I really thought that this was just me being funny (not ha ha) and reading a little to deep into the article so I asked some of the guys on the office to have a listen as I gave it a read and they thought it was ridiculous as well.

What this article shows is that people are happy to accept that: because you call the multiple woman that you are having adulterous relationships with your wife's it's ok! How ridiculous, let face up to the facts that it is supposed to be one man and one woman, one of the biggest problems that our amazing country is facing is the issue of HIV. How are we supposed to kerb this issue when those that are in extremely high positions of power have lost their "moral compass"

The article also states that MaNtuli's actions have offended the ancestors and a ritual of a goat sacrifice would be needed to appease them. The only person who is offended is God, and the sacrifice should be one of self-sactifice to that of physical pleasure!

Can you feel it?

2010-06-03T12:16:00.000+02:00

Soccer world cup 2010 is just around the corner... With just 7 days to go it seems that the world is going to converge on our door steps. We are hearing reports of teams arriving and being escourted around the country to their base camps and everyone that is in the area trying to get a glimpse of their heros. What are we as south Africans doing? Have you got your flags on your mirrors or on your windows? The more time I spend in the road seeing people getting into the spirit of this whole thing makes me feel pretty proud to be a South African because ALL EYES ARE GOING TO BE ON US!! For the next month the world will be watching to see if the country that wasn't going to be ready to host the worlds biggest sporting event can pull it off.

Here are some crazy stats to get you "Feeling patriotic"...

1. All major roads have been upgraded

2. A new airport was built

3. An old airport was upgraded

4. Four new stadiums were built

5. An international broadcasting facility opened with HD capabilities

6. A train system built from scratch that will get you from the airport to Sandton (over 40km) in 15 min!!

Come on SA let's realise that we have acomplished so much, and let's not forget this is the first time the soccer world cup has been on African soil, it's our time to shine!

What is Faith?

2010-05-30T20:45:00.001+02:00

The reason I ask this is to actually find out in my own mind how we define this question.

One of the best definitions you could find on this is found in the most obvious place... The Bible!

In Hebrews 11 you find a whole chapter dedicated to the people that have displayed amazing acts of faith that are worthy of being recorded in history FOREVER!! in the opening verse you find the Biblical definition we are looking for...

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the essence of things being hoped, the evidence of things not having been seen." - litv

How does this relate to you and I?

People who have decided to walk the Christian road have exercised faith, the challenge that I have been confronted with of late is that Christians who live a comfortable life very often don't live most of the time by faith. Please understand that I am not saying that ALL Christians fall into this camp, but I do think that many are... I am one of them!

Until recently I realised this and thanks to my wonderful wife and her loving challenge on this fact I had to come face to face with the fact that I was not living by faith! Debs and I decided to "dare our souls to do what our eyes could not see". About 10 weeks ago we decide to let go and let God take control of our lives and we have seen him work in an amazing way.

I can't share all the details here on an open forum, But take it from someone who "saw the light"... Don't put God in a box, he can and will do great things if you just allow him to do so!

Don`t kill my steak!!!

2009-08-24T18:46:00.001+02:00

Well this is something I thought about while having a debate with Caitlin, we where sitting at lunch on Sunday afternoon during our Hillcrest trip and she made the most ridicules statement ... " I am considering becoming a vegetarian", now before I go any further I need to explain that I dont have a problem with people that only eat veggies... I just dont understand it! Anyway, I got on my crazy thought pattern and decided to pipe up that if she became a vegetarian what would my cows eat? yes yes I know that cows eat grass and not veggies ; ) but with that being said I have been really thinking about those who dont eat meat because they think its cruel...

A couple of days ago we ad an ethics course at the office and it was so interesting to see how people view ethics. there was one lady that was so adamant that it was wrong to kill other animals, and others thought it was right... so is it wrong or right? well I dont think its a case of right or wrong but rather personal preference. some people like to get stuck into a huge bowl of salad and others, like me, enjoy a really good steak!! all I am asking is that you dont take my steak away... I like it to much, so Cait if you read this please dont become a veggie and take all my cows food away...

Time to start talking...

2009-08-18T16:59:00.001+02:00

Well let me tell you, to write this has been rather convicting... We are currently doing a study through Exodus, we have got to chapter 18 and this last week Sunday Doug raised the issue of being an effective witness. in short we looked at how Moses just spoke the truth to Jethro about the amazing journey they had just been on. from seeing the wonders of the plagues, the Passover, the crossing of the sea, the daily provision of food and water... after all Moses had told him Jethro gets converted and praises Yahweh, Doug made this absolutely amazing statement that I had never heard ....

"People want answer and all the Christians are standing around stuttering!"

How profound is that?! and this got me thinking, how many people do we cross paths with everyday that want answers and all we do is talk about the weather? I must say, I am pretty comfortable talking to people but when it comes to "God things" aka the Gospel I stall! Doug also made the point that sometimes the best effective witness is the one that you have some sort of a relationship with, now that doesn't mean that we must never have answers or ignore those that ask that we do not know, but those that are around us the most... School, Work, Sports whatever lets be prepared not to stand around and talk about the weather, Stuttering, but tell them about the amazing truths and things that we have experienced, because lets be honest we have experienced great things and we continue to experience them daily.

have you ever looked out and said WOW?!

2009-08-12T15:35:00.000+02:00

I had the chance this weekend to go and spend time with friends and have a really great weekend, in the words of my wife... "the best weekend she has ever had". we had the chance to get up at the crack of dawn and go watch the sun rise from the beach (great idea by the way Katy). as I stood and watched the sun rise waiting for the perfect pic, which I think I got and will share later, watching a bunch of punks enjoy the moment in the sea... I had a thought, one of those like "how could that be" moment. we enjoy all the benefits of common grace everyday and never take the time to say thanks... everyday we see the sun rise, some people I know are working on the 2010 stadium right on the beach and have a view like no other practically everyday and probably let this thought pass them by! I heard something once that went kinda like this... "And God said let there be light: and there was light... and this was the first day". all He did was speak and there was light, lets never forget the Awesome power of God, and lets stop sometimes and say... WOW!!!

What are you going to do today?

2009-08-08T07:33:00.000+02:00

This week I went on a work conference, how boring you may say? the first couple of hours where great and then the after lunch "the feeling" set in and didn't feel like thinking too much... There was like zero signal in this place so i decided to go to the reception and ask if by any slim chance they had a free wifi zone I could use. When I walked in I saw this guy in a wheel chair... I really thought that he was part of the staff until he came into the room we where having our thing and started speaking about his life story, he was our motivational speaker ... Cy Edmandson.

In 1990, during a school leadership course, Cy fell ill with an unknown virus which attacked his spinal cord. After 3 months in a coma, Cy regained consciousness but had to learn to deal with the heavy burden of being disabled for the rest of his life. He had to re-learn to speak and had to come to terms that he will never walk again. During his stay in hospital, Cy developed a close relationship with his nurse, Wendy Lurie, and married her in 1994. They were informed that producing children would be a near miracle and probably not possible. Cy and Wendy’s son Joshua was born in April 1995.

Why was this so important to me that I felt I needed to share it? i have heard many speakers and this guy had something really profound... of all the guys i have heard, this one couldn't walk! even in his wheel chair bound state he climbed

sentinel peak. this was truly a serious achievement for a man that cant use his legs! This guy really made a profound point that you can really do what ever you want to do once you have committed to the task. now that sounds really like if you "believe you want to you can achieve it by thinking it". but i think the point was that there are people all over this world that are doing amazing things without the use of their limbs, and all we do all day is sit around and complain. so the question should really be... what are you going to do today? complain about your circumstances or do something about the situation you are in. lets try and be more aware of those around us doing extraordinary things around us and lets make the most of every day, without complaining... and remember that you can use part of your body that some people cant... so stop complaining and be thankful.

its been a while...

2009-08-07T15:06:00.000+02:00

well i am about to go on holiday and take the time to try catch up on the blogs... feeling really "back logged" but i really got inspired to start writing again

ciao for now...

Choices choices...

2009-01-14T10:58:00.000+02:00

This all started onemorning when I was standing at our coffee machine at the office, for me it is pretty simple ... Button 1 no sugar, button 4 white Nescafe! While waiting patiently for my morning fix a fellow coffee companion walked into the kitchen with absolutely no Idea what he was going to choose. It was then I started thinking about the infinite choices we have every hour of every day... Think about this for a while with me and as you take a journey into my world (try to think about the things you do while reading)

• Alarm goes off 5:30 ... Choice: snooze or get up?

• Get up ... Choice: thank God you have another day or just go hit the shower?

• Hot or cold shower today? Should I use soap or shower gel? Face cloth or just my hand? Should I wash my hair?

NOTE: All of this and it’s still not even 7am and have not hit my wardrobe yet!

• Pants options:

o Colour

o Style

• Shirt options:

o Colour, what goes with the pants I choose

o With pocket or no pocket

o Button down collar depends if a tie is required

• Belt options:

o Only have to so it’s an either or!

• Shoe options:

o Not a woman, don't have those problems. Only joking ladies, I LIKE shoes!

• Now that I am dressed and ready to hit the world, I need some food!

• Muesli, all bran, wheatbix, toast and cheese, egg on toast... What will it be this morning?

• Alright all feed up and ready to hit the ROAD!!

• At my gate do I go left or right? Oh wait what's the time... 7:20am traffic shouldn't be too bad let’s go left.

• In flight entertainment, cd, iPod, Highveld or 702

• Ok 3 options now, highway all the way? Town then highway? Or just go through town?

• Traffic jam what now, men don't ask for directions or get stressed... They consult the Garmin!

• Finally get to the office after lots of "turn left" & "turn right"

It’s now only 8:20! And the point is imagine we didn't have any choices in this life? We would be walking robots with no personalities, I thank God he has given us the ability to choose things. Choice is what defines us what are you going to choose today?

Watch this space...

2009-01-12T16:40:00.001+02:00

sorry for the wait... it seems i hit a stop with the posts. i am back and have lots to write about, so keep your eyes peeled...

In this god we trust...

2008-07-31T14:30:00.000+02:00

We had the opportunity this past Wednesday night to hear from Paul Tripp regarding proper parenting... i am however not going to talk bout that. he drew our attention to a passage in Matt 6: 19 - 20 which says "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." after reading the verse he pulled out a R100 note to which he asked " what makes this piece of paper worth R100? is it the paper? the ink that is printed on the paper? or is it a combination of both? " if the penny hasn't dropped yet (like it did the second those words came out of his mouth) let me explain...

the reserve bank of South Africa prints money with ink, paper and a printer and then assigns a value to it when they make it blue and put a big 100 onto it! that's it... maybe that didn't have the same profound affect on you as it does me?! this is, as Tripp puts it, a treasure. Now that simply blew my mind. We can make it a treasure to be what we want it to be... now here is the question that we need to be asking, were is your (my) treasure and all your (my) focus?

This should be our treasure... I have been really thinking about what we hold as our "idol god" over the last couple of weeks and it is so amazing how many things we put before the creator, and I hope whoever reeds this would think deeply on them and for those of our YP heads up... what we hold as our object of affection will be our controlling force!

blame it on the brain...

2008-07-20T14:19:00.000+02:00

Wow so how often do we "blame it on the brain?" let's look at this in a practical way...

a story was shared about a woman who was pulled over by a cop after going through a red light. When she climbed out her car she started beating up the cop, eventually she was arrested and when she appeared in court she told the judge it was the P.M.S! He then realized that what she had done wasn't really her because she wasn't in the right frame of mind,

The real question I think is... " how often do we blame things on our emotions?" does a hetrosexual male have the same brain as a homosexual? I think they do. The difference is the SIN that has changed the way the homosexual thinks. Now thats an extreme example, lets get practical! When you wake up in the morning after having only 2 hours sleep and you spend the rest of the day craky with everybody because of lack of sleep?! Here's a big one..

What about depression? Can a Christian be in a clinical state of depression? This might be contravesial but here goes. a Christian has been forgiven of EVERYTHING, sins past, present and future. When Christ died on the cross the sins of all those predestined to call on his name. with that in the back of your mind ask the question again ... Can a Christian be in a clinical state of depression? Now the flip side, how can anyone have hope without Christ?

How deep are your roots?

2008-07-07T21:11:00.000+02:00

so this weekend the question was asked... not only how deep do your roots go but " are your roots in the spring of life? "

Doug used an illustration from a sermon from Spurgeon about a palm tree... when its roots are below the ground taking all it needs from the water below and its leaves above in the blistering sun it is in its element... are we like that in this life? are we rooted in the waters of Christ and our heads out in the world taking the abuse that so often comes when you believe?

following this was a message that was shared the same night from James that i would like to share. here are seven points that Doug raised that are relevant and I think need to be shared with my loyal readers (if there are any????)

James 2:26

Saving faith has a pulse...
Jesus being Lord is esteeming him as our greatest treasure.

Saving faith pants...
Those who have experienced God thirst & hunger after him.
Blessed are those who hunger after Him!
As Martin Loyd Jones said... " if I have Christ I have it all"

Saving faith is pliable...
As we turn to Christ are we clay in the potters hands?
If the Bible shows you something we need to change ... Saving faith is also submissive.
Christ will have his way

Saving faith is public...
It is something that is shared with others.
It should be noticeable by others.
Matt 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Saving faith pursues purity ...
It hates sin!
Its not only intellectual ... "repent & believe" its very much a heart attitude!

Saving faith perseveres...
It grows, it never stops.
It is the power of God unto salvation ... Always.

Saving faith is not presumptuous...
When q person sees how deep the sin is, we won't take anything for granted.
It examines itself & then does the work of change.
Do we have a fake or pirated version of faith?
Because it is not presumptuous it isn't shattered when some don't follow.

Saving faith comes from a process ...
It comes from the word of God, it all starts somewhere...
When you get saved you just keep coming ...
Just because we don't know what God is doing under the surface, keep swinging the gospel axe!

so there you have it... what saving faith looks like. as I type this I realise that I fall short on some of these points. thank goodness there is a process...

The salt shaker of life...

2008-06-27T15:29:00.000+02:00

so here is how the story goes as they say... I was listening to my buddy Ravi on the way to work this morning on a series called "Marching to a different drummer". he was talking about, in a nutshell, be different.

"so there we are all sitting pretty in our seats all close and snuggled up to each other looking out of our tall glass windows that surround us from bottom to top. above we look through our roof at the world outside. then suddenly one of us looks outside and sees the pot of soup on the stove top boiling away... someone shouts out loud, do you know how many of us have left and never been seen again, they have been gobbled up by the veggies inside! then someone else cries out... "what are we to do when our time comes?". then some lonely grain of salt says from the back..." I will go with pleasure, I will take the plunge into that pot of soup and get gobbled up by those veggies!" how could you say that said another... "because I promise one thing, that pot of soup will never taste the same again!"

post, what are we going to do... are we going to be just going to let this world pass us by as we sit in our salt shaker and watch the opportunities to pass us by? or are we going to be like the grain of salt that will "take the plunge" and be willing to make a difference in this world? that's the challenge that lays before us now... I like the way Mark Chanski puts it ... are you going to be the ball who gets pushed around the table? or are you going to be the cue?

be the Cue man, be the cue!!!

"Son of Man" the Movie

2008-06-23T13:49:00.000+02:00

"The story of Jesus reclaimed as an African fable: a simple concept becomes a remarkable cinematic experience in Son of Man. This is the second installment from the collaboration of director Mark Dornford-May and the South African theatre company, Dimpho Di Kopane. The moniker means... The story of Jesus reclaimed as an African fable: a simple concept becomes a remarkable cinematic experience in Son of Man. This is the second installment from the collaboration of director Mark Dornford-May and the South African theatre company, Dimpho Di Kopane. The moniker means "combined talents," and it aptly describes the incredible creative energy on both sides of the camera. Shot against the backdrop of a violence-riddled township and with text updated to modern time, Son of Man delivers one indelible impression after another. Mary conceives the Christ child during a militia attack on a grade school, Jesus asks for the surrender of handguns from his apostles, and the angel Gabriel is a precocious child marked with simple white feathers. Equally intriguing is the melding of the crucifixion and resurrection–alluding to the fact that in today's Africa, political dissidents, as Jesus was, are conveniently made to disappear. In song and originality, the spirit of Son of Man is contagious, a life-enriching elixir for Christians and non-Christians alike who feel mired in the unyielding bigotry of fundamentalism. By modernizing one of the world's most famous stories, Son of Man creates lasting resonance and imparts a significance that is truly glorious." -- © Sundance Film Festival

This is a review from a site called www.rottentomatoes.com, before I say anything about this movie I would like to make one thing clear... I am by no means offended by the fact the movie is African. I have a serious problem with the fact that the movie has portrayed Christ as a political deliverer! the fact that people are rating this movie as good is shocking, the fact is that Christ was the saviour of those who chose to follow him, and those that do will inevitable be persecuted for their Faith.

We had a discussion with our young people the other night regarding this movie to get their feeling... a few thoughts had been passed about the room. I stand firm on the following issue... I believe that Christians have lost the impact they caould have due to the fact that we are "slack" on issues like this one that faces us now. for example when a muslim who worships and prays to a small "g" god gets upset when his god is portrayed in the wrong light how much more should we be enraged when somebody portrays the LIVING & TRUE God of this world in a dishonoring way? hence the reason for the post! how saddened are you (as a Christian) that the Gospel message has been portrayed as "an African fable". what are we doing to take a stand on what we believe to be true???? we are so easily pushed over when we are called to do the "hard things", it is so easy to just let them slide and as one of our your people pointed out... "we need to choose our fights carefully", i couldn't agree more.... this is a issue that we need to take a stand on! the question is are you, again as a Bible believing Christian, going to do or say anything about it? there is only one way this message should be shown and that is the way it is in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. there is only one Son of man, and he was also the son of GOD! I feel that this is an outright mockery of the Christian faith and Christian shouldnt accept this "lying down"?

one last comment from the official site: www.sonofmanmovie.com
"In the state of Judea in southern Africa, violence, poverty and sectarianism are endemic. The neighbouring Alliance has invaded to restore ‘peace’ at gunpoint. Bloody street battles accompany the neighbouring dictatorship’s incursion into its weaker satellite. Promises of a transition to open democratic rule accompany summary executions and brutal massacres. As the civil war reaches a new level, a divine child is born to a lowly couple. As he grows and witnesses the inhumanity of the world he lives in, his angelic guardians offer him an escape to the heavens. He refuses. This is his world and he must try to save it from the work of evil men and from the darkness working through them. As an adult, he travels to the capital, gathering followers from the armed factions of rebels that crisscross the land. He demands that his followers give up their guns and confront their corrupt rulers with a vision of non-violent protest and solidarity. Inevitably, he attracts the attention of the Judean tribal leaders who have struck a power-sharing deal with the aloof Governor Pilate. The Son of Man must be brought down and destroyed. It should be another simple ‘disappearance’ like any other…"

The question you really need to be asking is..." who is more important to YOU a nobody god, or the living & true God?"

more of Mozams `08 to come...

2008-06-20T00:05:00.000+02:00

Mozams `08

2008-06-19T22:47:00.000+02:00

wow just to start i thought this blogging thing was pretty easy, well as i am finding out... its not!i will make up for it this post i promise... Anyway back to the subject....

Mozams 2008

wow we really had an awesome time, i took a week off work and the hectic fast passed lifestyle my wife and I have to go and visit Folks up in Mozambique. we left this past Tuesday and took a slow drive up to Nelspruit for a nights stop over in a really cold (Brrrrrrrrrrr) log cabin,

We hit the border at around 10am the next morning after leaving in the freezing cold at 7am... when we arrived we got a warm welcome from the HOT HOT sun. the weather was great, much better than that of Jozi... very welcome. we stayed with the Rogers the first 2 nights that we were there, we had such a blast with the family they found the fastest rout to my heart through my stomach ; ) we by no mean would go hungry at that house. we had a really good time while with them so hospitable. it was a really loaf week, no plans but to chill!!! even the book that was taken to read was a real "no brainer" i met the Schwaders for the first time the day that we arrived, Deb had met them when she was up in November 2007. one of the highlights of the trip was going to have a picnic on the beach... I think this picture would best describe the Beach... absolutely beautiful!!!

we had a real blast collecting shells, eating, kicking a ball and watching the fisherman coming in with the catch of the day... and of course one of the big reasons for going on holiday... RELAX! I also had the chance to go with Nathan to go and see a piece of land he want to buy to build a place on instead of renting the one he is in now. we really had a good time together. its so amazing to me that two people can come from a different country and because of a common bond can "speak the same language". one of the greatest things for me was the people... i mean the people of the country. it is so amazing that two family's would give up so much to be with them. We had a great time just seeing them and trying to spend time with them in the best way we knew how. the problem is the Language... they all speak Portuguese! anyway we really had fun... it was sad to leave but we had smiles all round even from the locals... hopefully not smiles of joy because we left...

Mozams we will be back!!!

we did it!!!!

2008-05-01T17:51:00.000+02:00

so we did it! with all the public holidays that we have had we decided to go and hit a couple of balls on the golf course... Matt I dont think has ever touched a golf club! Lex who i thought was pretty good, and Dean who well let me put it this way he has some Scottish blood in him,and for myself, I have not played a round in almost two years! well it took some time to get off the first tee but we did. we only managed to get 9 holes in... yes it took that long ; ) antway we ended with a score card looking something like this...

Team one
Matt 1 point
Lex 1 point

Team two
Dean 3 points
Gareth 10 points

yes team two did it they won! Lex was really not doing so well when Dean sayed that lunch smelled really good seeing that it was going to be on the loosing team!!!!

so now the next day has been set and we will keep you updated on how the teams did... next game set for Saturday 17th May

T.G.I.F

2008-04-25T14:02:00.000+02:00

Well thank goodness its Friday (T.G.I.F). I have learned one very important thing. . . Everything happens for a reason. I have indeed spent a lot of time consumed by the things that have gone wrong lately that God didn't feature much in my thoughts. It is only when i truly decided to leave it in hands that everything fell into place. Now i am not promoting the whole "let go and let God" idea. We still have our bit to do, in this case it was getting focused back on the things of God. I am so grate full that I am a receiver of Grace!

What a day!

2008-04-23T14:25:00.000+02:00

So what makes today any different from yesterday? Day are so full of hustle bustle, in my life especially. I was on the phone with Debbie (my wife) talking about the morning and it struck of that i actually complain a HUGE amount about the fact that i have a job! We forget so quickly about the showers of blessing that we get everyday. How can i complain when i get to get up every morning and enjoy the world God has put us in. I have always said that God has a "sense of humor", hope there will be no confusion about that statement. . . Anyway, as i was in my moment of downward spiral i was reminded of something. . . "the Grace of God will not lead you where the Grace of God wont keep you", and that got me thinking. . . I was where i was supposed to be, because God wants me there!

2008-04-21T12:22:00.000+02:00

Well hello,

welcome... this is the space where i hope thought will become words! you know you have those days when you have a thought, a rather profound one, and you completely forget to tell somebody about it... well i tend to get those a lot! i am hoping that if nobody ever reads this then at least i have a history...

hope you enjoy.