A sad reflection on religious fundamentalism...

Mandy de Waal (whom I follow on twitter) posted the following telling quote today...

In the normal order of things good people do good things and bad people do bad things... To get good people to do bad things you need religion - Christopher Hitchens

Indeed. Don't follow me.

The AWB on the Cape South coast... Trouble in paradise

We've been on the Cape South coast (George, Wilderness and Knysna) for the weekend. I was absolutely astounded to see these posters on just about every lamp post in the area - they advertise a white supremacist rally at which Afrikaner Weerstand's Beweeging (AWB) leader, Eugene Terreblance, is speaking.

I had two thoughts - first, sadness that persons and groups like this even exist in the new South Africa. Second, I was proud to be a new South African! We will even allow such persosn rights and freedoms in South Africa (unlike their behaviour in the past and desire for the future...)

Still, my heart is sad! Pray for this region - clearly there is still a lot of work to do here to heal relationships and establish the kind of society that would honour God!
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A relaxing afternoon in Knysna!

We arrived in Knysna at lunchtime today after our morning session in Riversdal. It's a fantastic day! We've taken the boat out for a quick spin to the Knysna heads... Another tough day in Africa!
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This must be what the Wesleyan revivals were like....

This evening Graham Power and I are speaking at the Riversdal stadium. It is wonderful to see over a thousand people gathering (in COLD) weather. They are eager to seek the face of God, and find tangible solutions for the problems they encounter in this region. Alchohol abuse, drug abuse, unemployement, race and culture struggles, HIV / AIDS, these and many more are the problems that plague millions of South Africans in rural South African towns.

It is such a joy and privelage to be able to speak of hope and to see persons make a commitment to working together to see God's dream for their community and region. Tomorrow we shall run a workshop with teachers, community workers, pastors, business people, the police, and members of the community in which they shall strategise for the upliftment, development, and change of the region.

It is such a joy and honour to be here and to be part of the blessing of a community such as this. Perhaps this is what the Wesleyan revivals of England were like. Sometimes, it feels a little like we're making history.
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The gadgets I take with me when I travel

I spend about 1 to 2 nights a week elsewhere in South Africa. In a few hours time I'll be in Riversdale, then to George 'two mayors, three speaking engagements, three days'.

Staying connected with my office, and keeping up to date with my work is imperative. I simply cannot afford to get back into town and then have to catch up on emails, letters, projects and reports!

So, here's what I take with me when I travel:

1) Apple Macbook Pro (a bit large and heavy, but I can't quite afford the Macbook Air yet, and my 12" G4 Powerbook is getting a little 'long in the tooth')

2) Spare Macbook battery and battery Geek external battery (I can get about 8-10 hours of work out of the battery Geek, plus 6 hours out of my two Macbook batteries).

3) Vodafone 3G USB modem - I've got to be able to connect to the intrawebs! I use it for work (email etc.,) but also to skype video home to Megan, Courtney and Liam. Liam can't speak yet, so it's important for him to be able to see me, amd for me to be able to see and speak to all of them!

4) Nokia E90 communicator - an all round GREAT phone! 3G HSDPA (in case there is no vodacom 3G coverage - my phone is with MTN), great 3.2 megapixel camera, wifi, bluetooth, GPS (in a fix), MS Exchange, MMS messaging, and of course phone calls.

5) iPhone (first generation, upgraded to the new firmware). This has my work sim card in it for making work related phone calls. It is also filled with music, audiobooks (just read 'The Shack'!), podcasts etc.

6) Garmin Quest GPS (to find my way)...

So, that's the gadget gear. It keeps me productive and connected - the only items I would change would be the Macbook Pro for a Macbook Air, and the 1st generation iPhone for a 3G iPhone... The rest are perfect!
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Please pray for Craig and Mandy Rens - rest in Christ James.

Dear friends,

Some of you may be aware that Craig and Mandy Rens lost their son, James Mark Rens, this evening (Craig started the Methodist ministers' list and is a member of the Bryanston Methodist Church). James was born very premature and sadly did not have the strength to make it through these first trying weeks of life. We thank God for their love and courage! And we pray that James find peace, blessing, and joy in the presence of Christ.

Mandy has also not been well. She suffered a stroke a short while after James' birth and is recuperating, but she can do with your prayers. If ever we needed to show our love and support to some of our own, now is the time. Please pray for them.

My wife Megan and I started fasting and praying every Friday about two years ago when our son Liam was born at 27 weeks of pregnancy. We continue to follow this discipline in order to bring parents and children before our loving Lord. I would encourage you to do the same this week if you are able.

Please send your messages of support to Craig and Mandy on 083 307 0957

Thank you,

Dion

My future's so bright, I've gotta wear shades!

It's freezing and wet in Cape Town, but Liam's future's so bright he's wearing shades!
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Want a free Bach e Lor's de grEe, how about an MB Aa or a PHDD?

Yes, I love spammers! They are so creative! Here's a piece of spam mail that a friend of mine got in his email inbox....

Would you take a PHDD from a person who can't spell PhD!?

Sadly, I once got a certificate from a person who wanted their degree recognised by our seminary so that it could be included in the Church's list of academic qualifications.... The certificate looked quite good, except for ONE LITTLE FACT... The word "Doctorate" on the certificate was spelled DOCTRATE (like 'nitrate').... Mmmmm.... sorry for you! I didn't know whether to be mad or sad... I spent YEARS of late nights and early morning slaving away to get a doctorate, and here was a guy who wanted to submit his purchased 'doctrate' to the Church.

Sadly, what most people don't realise is that degree certificates are useless! The real worth of any qualification is the knowledge and skill that the individual has gained in earning the degree... The certificate itself means almost nothing! We truly should get away from studying to get certificates, and study so that we can be better equipped and trained to do the good that God wants done in the world!

If you want a NICE FAKE degree, download the one attached to this message... It's worth as much as the paper it is printed on...

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Knew, too, that her brother and sisterinlaw had in the first
place, the dragoman was a greek whose like caesar's wounds,
trying to speak. We are her if she's happy. I like your
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It's packing time again... And no broken legs YET!

Can you believe that we've been in Cape Town for 6 months already! Pete, I am still astounded by your care and love 6 months ago when you flew from Cape Town to JHB to drive my car here because I was still on crutches! A tip of my hat to Pete - http://www.rockinthegrass.blogspot.com - at least this time I can drive myself!

When we moved here we decided to take a short 6 month lease on our rental property so that we had a bit of time to find the right place to buy. Megan is such a star! While I've bann traveling all over the place she's looked at over 70 homes (not to mention that she's started up a ver sucessful human resources consultancy, and looked after me and our kids!) A few months ago she found the perfect propert - a small 3 bedroom house just one block from Courtney's school! It was a little out of our 'conservative' price league, so we prayed about and put in our best offer!

The lady who was selling the property had already turned down higher offers, but we went ahead and offered what we could afford and she accepted our offer! So, we're packing! We move in 15 days (of which I shall be away for more than half...) so we're using every possible moment to pack.

At least this move is just a few blocks down the road (well, about 5km or so), and I am not on crutches this time!!! However, the pressure is ON! In the 6 weeks between now and a month or so after our move I shall be in England and Europe, Argentina, Chile and a few other places in Latin America, and then also do a trip to Kenya for a day of thanksgiving and prayer with the government of unity... These are all incredibly exciting opportunities, and Megie and Liam will be going to Latin America! We are so excited!!!!! But the move does a add a little pressure. We are taking leave in December, and we look forward to a bit of free time to settle down and find our feet before 2009 comes along! We'll spend most of our leave at home, with a bried time in Knysna over Christmas!, and some time seeing Megie's sister's new baby (to be born any day now!)

So, please spare a prayer for Megie, Courts, Liam and I please! This are exciting times, and we're more blessed than we could ever have imagined!
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A blessed Merdeka Day to all my Malaysian friends!

My trip to Malaysia last year was one of the most blessed and wonderful trips of my life. It was made very special by the friends that I made whilst there, in particular Bishop Hwa Yung, Chee Seng Yip from STM seminary, and the very inspiring and challenging theologian and minister, Rev Sivin Kit.

Malaysia is such a beautiful country with truly wonderful people. I loved the diversity, the incredible commitment among Christians to their faith, and of course history and culture absolutely bowled me over!

The history of the independence of Malaysia is both inspiring and challenging. Today is 'Merdeka day' the celebration of the independence of Malaysia. I wish all Malaysians rich blessing for the year ahead. The prayer, and picture, below come from my friend Sivin Kit's blog.

Prayer for the Nation

God of ages,
in your sight nations rise and fall,
and pass through times of peril.
Now when our land is troubled,
be near to judge and save.
May leaders be led by your wisdom;
may they search your will and see it clearly.
If we have turned from your way,
help us to reverse our ways and repent.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us;
through Jesus Christ,
who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.

Source: Presbyterian Church USA

Spare a prayer for the citizens of New Orleans - another hurricane is heading that way.

I have followed the 'clean up' and reconstruction after Hurrican Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans. Many lost their lives and the city has struggled to get back on its feet (not to mention the unscrupulous capitalists who have made money from the suffering of others (see my post on Naomi Klein's book Shock Doctrine, which considers the rising prevalence of 'disaster capitalism' where companies capitalize on the weakness and suffering of others to buy out their resources and take away their civil liberties and rights in order to enrich and empower themselves)....

Well, many of you will be aware that the citizens of New Orleans have been asked to evacuate the city as Hurrican Gustav approaches... This is extremely concerning!

Please spare a prayer for the citizens of New Orleans! Here's a report from boingboing.

Hurricane Gustav has hit Cuba, and is heading straight for New Orleans with great force. From mayor Ray Nagin, who was, of course, also the city's mayor when Katrina struck 3 years ago this week:

"This is very, very serious, and we need you to heed this warning," he said. "We really don't have the resources to rescue you after this."

If only I had the money (and the time!) Singularity summit on Artificial Intelligence

I'm not convinced about the particular approach to 'singularity' that Kurzweil presents - however, as I've previously posted on this blog I am completely convinced that people have become dependent upon their technology for most daily tasks... That technology may be a pen to write a note, or a car to get to work, or a kettle to boil water for your morning coffee (not to mention the use of your bank card to draw money and your broadband connection and computer to communicate)....

Heck, this would be a GREAT conference to attend. I hope they put some videos on youtube, or at least make the conference papers available in electronic format. (from boingboing)

Singularity Summit 2008: Opportunity, Risk, Leadership takes place October 25 at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose, CA, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence announced today. Now in its third year, the Singularity Summit gathers the smartest people around to explore one of the biggest ideas of our time: the Singularity.

Keynotes will include Ray Kurzweil, updating his predictions in The Singularity is Near, and Intel CTO Justin Rattner, who will examine the Singularity's plausibility. At the Intel Developer Forum on August 21, 2008, he spoke about why he thinks the gap between humans and machines will close by 2050. "Rather than look back, we're going to look forward 40 years," said Rattner. "It's in that future where many people think that machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence."

The first Singularity Summit was held at Stanford in 2006 to further understanding and discussion about the Singularity concept and the future of human technological progress. It was founded as a venue for leading thinkers to explore the subject, whether scientist, enthusiast, or skeptic.

The Singularity Summit 2008 (Thanks, Tyler!)