so i recently wrote a 5 part ‘reasons to hate Christianity’ blog series which was (for those who read it) intended to be a tongue-in-cheek statement on some of the basic things Christianity is actually meant to be about – things like love and forgiveness and looking after people in need which are all things that actually no-one in their right mind would hate... but yet people hate christianity and have issues with the church... [...]
in this amazing book 'Exiles' by Michael Frost i am reading i came upon this quote today by antoine de saint-exupery - 'If you want to build a ship, don't summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs and organise the work. Teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.' if they build it they will come kind of idea - another move in the big what is church wrestling currently taking place [...]
i really liked what my buddy kleinfrans (yes, he's a giant with a name like that) commented on my recent 'reasons to hate christianity' blog series so i thort i would share it... its quite sad the way christianity is being perceived as a box of crayons. you look at the packaging (baptist/catholic/…) and you know exactly what colour crayons you are going to find inside. or at least that is what those that see [...]
Awesome SA is a site dedicated to the good news of what happens in South Africa that we seldom get to read about in the newspapers or watch in the news - they send out regular newsletters with testimonies of south africans living and loving large and helping make this nation the thing it truly can be - i encourage you to get connected 'Awesome SA is about encouraging South Africans to positively influence the [...]
let’s face it – Christians are not among the most loved and respected people when it comes to those outside of the church and i have often wondered why this is and so i started thinking about some of the core basics of this religion and suddenly it makes a lot of sense. when you look at what Christians intrinsically fundamentally believe (i’m not talking how some of them act or those who claim to [...]
wow. i am not a big cry'er. not because "i'm a guy so i don't cry" - just cos i don't cry really i love crying, i think it's really manly and necessary and releasing and all that so it sucks that i don't more often - i ask God from time to time to let me cry more but so far no good - last time i can remember crying was the second time [...]
so yes it's lateish thurs nite or feels that way cos i am weirdly quite tired and tbV is upstairs working hard cos she has to get thesis changes to her people before she goes away... which is tomorrow - my lovely wife has a whole weekend of secret plans (at least til sun when we mite be back for the grand prix or at the very least enGAGE church service and world cup final [...]
‘Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.’ [romans 13.8] i love that verse. i have been reading romans for quite a long time now and i just keep getting stuck on that verse any time I am near it the continuing debt to love one another – what a cool way to be in debt – and the idea [...]
do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good i really struggle to ‘get’ how people have such issues with Jesus-following when the basics of what it is all about is gems like that – love God, love people, look after orphans and widows, forgive those who wrong you, look after the land you’ve been given, share this love message... i do sadly understand how people can have issues with christians and a [...]
at our enGAGE gathering last nite, MJ reminded us of this vineyard song where the chorus goes something like: Bring me back to the place where i love the cross Bring me back to the place where i’m on my knees Bring me back to an undivided heart Oh Jesus, bring me back to You it's a fantastic reminder of a phenomenally good place to return to regularly