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Marriage Year 5: Meet Jackie and Tim Barker

We got married on the 28th of November 2009. Best decision ever. Seriously. We have both loved being married and will often wonder how we got to be so blessed. There were a few things we decided on early in our marriage that has made a world of difference, and we have practiced them ever since. Firstly... We decided to never leave the 'honeymoon stage'. Everyone around us who heard how happy we were kept [...]

i’m not sure you’re against that thing you think you’re against: part rape culture

What does the term 'Rape Culture' mean? The phrase is off-putting and in some ways misleading [to someone who doesn't understand what it means at any rate]. Tell a guy he is a part of the existing rape culture and he is most likely to react strongly against that: "How dare you suggest I'm a rapist? Or put me in the same grouping as rapists as if I could be one of them." Well, sometimes [...]

By |2019-10-18T09:31:06+02:00June 12th, 2014|change the world, pain and Hope|9 Comments

i'm not sure you're against that thing you think you're against [Intro]

Sometimes two sides of a vociferous argument can both be right. A silly [but true] example could be someone from Americaland arguing that mayonnaise is horrible [i have lived here for three years and am still to find one i find overly edible] Whereas, having tasted South African mayo, and especially the no name brand big jar version, i might argue that mayonnaise is incredible. We would both be telling the truth in terms of [...]

Pearls before Church Offerings

You know when you're sitting innocently in church and the bag/plate comes along for the offering and you feel guilty, but probably not because of this:   [For Pearls before Swine and babies, click here] [For Pearls before Swine and Shtupidt people, click here]

By |2014-06-09T08:42:57+02:00June 9th, 2014|humour'ish|0 Comments

the art of holding a friend's head under the water…

yesterday i attended a baptism and family picnic that our church family, Re:Generation, holds twice a year... it is one of the highlights for us [and not just because of the quantity of fine meat they prepare - these okes know how to barbecue braai!] because of the feeling of family celebration and togetherness that tends to come out of it... and just a much less rushed time of being able to hang with church folks [...]

Taboo Topics: Race – The Panel – Questions from you about Race-related things – Q3/Q4

Finishing off this first run of the panel with these last two questions that came in - only two responses at the moment but will add more as they come in... QUESTION 3:  [Suzane Hoffman] We have seen our country go down hill. We have watched apartheid in reverse . reconciliation is fantasy. All that happens is now the blacks control and the whites still suffer and get the blame. With real reconciliation there would [...]

Mark, my words: He really was.

And s we witness the death of Jesus... which has a profound effect on the world around Him... not only on the Roman centurion who was stationed nearby... but even on the physical aspects of the temple as the curtain is ripped from top to bottom. Join me as i look at Mark 15 from verse 33 to 47 and share some thoughts on these things:     [For links to the whole [...]

By |2014-06-04T11:42:38+02:00June 4th, 2014|activities, bible things, God stuff, what i am reading|0 Comments

the smell of feet

This is another extract from ‘Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion’ by Father Gregory Boyle which i am reading and thoroughly enjoying [and you should totally get and read] and this story i read tonite jumped out at me and begged to be shared. From a chapter titled, 'Compassion': The strategy of Jesus is not centered in taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place - with [...]

#YesAllWomen: a lament

i go outside and sit on the top step in front of my apartment and look around... taking in the sights listening to the noise a family preparing for a celebration across the street the sound of a car backfiring, further down the road a laugh, an ambulance siren, a child's excited scream, the sound of two cats fighting, the music starting up and all seems normal this all feels right and good i pause [...]

Taboo Topics: Race – The Panel – Questions from you about Race-related things – Q2: Being 'over' apartheid?

QUESTION 2:  [Graeme Broster] I don't believe we can even begin to discuss issues of race, reconciliation etc before we begin to discuss and answer the issue of identity. Not sure if it's clear but give it some thought Race panel question: When, if ever, will it be OK to be "over" apartheid? If possible put a number of years to your answer. [Brett: Hot question i know but i followed it up with Graeme to [...]

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