Learning to learn... again.

I have spent most of my life learning. I am 36 years old and I have been involved in some manner of formal for 29 of those 36 years (that includes primary schooling, high school, and 5 University degrees). People often look upon my 'book learning' with a measure of astonishment. There is nothing to celebrate about it, in fact I have often thought that it was stupidity that kept me studying for so many years. By that I mean stupidity of two forms, stupidity in the form that I never thought I knew enough so I would keep reading, researching, and wanting to learn. But also stupidity of another kind, in the sense that if I had any sense I would have realised quite early on that while book learning has great value in some contexts the MOST valuable forms of learning take place through the experiences of 'ordinary life'.

A quick disclaimer, before I carry on, to those students who are busy with their degrees - please don't take my flippancy (which is, truthfully, somewhat tongue in cheek) as an excuse to stop your studies! There are many advantages to formal learning. It is both necessary and essential for the effective functioning of institutions and society.

However, the reality is, each time that I start some new chapter in my life, ministry, and work, I come to discover just how much I DON'T know! As I have been sitting in board meetings, conferences, strategic planning workshops, and meeting people along the way, I am challenged to
recognise that I need to learn a whole new 'skill set' to be effective and useful for the Lord where I am now.

I think this process of learning is a given. Most of us would agree that new surroundings and new work require new insights and skills.

However, what has surprised me is that I not only need to learn THINGS, I have also had to learn how to learn again! As one gets older one tends to settle into patterns. I have established some fairly concrete patterns for learning. I have recognised this time around that I not only need to learn, but also need to relearn how to learn!

For the past 5 years my learning has been largely academic - if I needed to understand something I would go away, get all the books, journals, and academic papers on that particular issue, do a literature survey of all that has been written (with my research question in mind), and then I would distil the information into some clear and structured document, tracing the major arguments and counter arguments (much like one draws up a list of pros and cons), trying to understand the merits and demerits of each. Finally, I would weigh up all that I had read,
thought about, and written and then come to some conclusion.

I am learning in a new way now. Most of what I learn doesn't come from books, it is not written in papers - rather it comes from relationships, from understanding what people have discovered and learned in their lives. I am enjoying it! For those who know me, I am quite a strong
extrovert, I never liked books more than people! Now, I am learning in a way that I love!

International Transformation Network

Today the International Transformation Network Conference started at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. The purpose of the conference is to help business leaders, politicians, and Church leaders to use their influence and passion to bring about God's Kingdom of healing, transformation and renewal on earth.

I think forget that there is an eschatological urgency and task for Christians in society - we are called to DO what we so often pray for i.e., to establish God's gracious Kingdom here on earth (a Kingdom in which people are reunited with God, at peace with God, with others, and with all of creation).

I am looking forward to learning fresh and creative ways to help the Church (in all its members, in local congregations, in schools, in offices, in homes, in cities) to bring God's healing and provision to all people (not just Christians)!

If you're looking for a very good book to read on these priciples please read Ed Silvoso's book 'Transformation' (2007) Regal Publishers.

They love it too. You can see why!

I spent the day at the community broadcasters conference (hosted by the Association of Christian Boradcasters) in Gordons Bay. I drove past the beach on my way to the hotel where the convention took place. The weather at the beach was absolutely perfect! So, I phoned Megie to bring the kids to the beach. While I was sitting in an airconditioned conference venue they were having a great time on the beach!

Megie took this photo of Courtney and Liam. We sure are blessed to be back in Cape Town!

I'll write a few thoughts about Christian broadcasting when I get a chance a bit later tonight. Now, however, I need to head home.

Clouds coming in over the mountains

What a lovely sight! This picture was taken between meetings - it shows the clouds coming from Grabouw over Sir Lowry's pass towards Cape Town.

God's beauty is seen in God's creation!

Forgetting and stretching - an unfolding plan of expectation and excitement.

Today was my second day in my new job. It has felt like a bit of a whirlwind these last two days. I have spent most of my time just trying to keep up with what is happening around me, trying to figure out who does what, and get on top of the tasks and meetings that are increasing as each day passes.

Expectation is a powerful emotion.

These last two days I have felt the pressure of the expectations of others – having a title (choose any of my titles, Reverend or Doctor) seems to create some expectation of what I am able to do. These expectations are flattering, and in fact they are quite helpful since they open many doors and create some wonderful opportunities. However, in reality titles mean nothing! I may have a doctorate, and be an ordained Methodist minister, but in this environment I probably know less than the lady who brings tea into the many meetings! I have a lot to learn, and I have to learn quickly.

Then there are my own expectations. I have longed to hold my current post for some years now! Today I sat with Dawie Spangeberg to get an overview of all of the ministries that I will have involvement in, it was awesome to see how much is being done, and what good it is achieving for God's Kingdom by bringing change, renewal, healing, and hope to people across the globe! I knew that I would be doing some exciting things, and I know that many of them will require me to be more creative than I have ever been, to work harder and longer that I have ever worked, and to excersize more courage than I have ever had to employ. My expectation upon myself is also high! I don't want to let anyone down, and certainly want to do my very best with all of the wonderful training, experience and growth that I have gained thus far in life. In some ways I feel that I shall have to be a bit like an athlete, stretching and pushing myself beyond what is comfortable, in order to 'take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me' (Phil 3:12).

There is a rich vitality to those three verses (12-14) in Phil 3 – they are filled with energy, exertion, and purpose. In order to grasp the intense exhortation that Paul is making one needs to understand that this section is framed by a particular Greek word, teleios. The easiet way to explain the meaning of this word is to relate it to the English word with which it shares a common root – telescope. The Greek word, teleios refers to an end, much like a telescope looks towards some far off and distant place. However, the end, in this case, is very particular in nature. It refers to a 'perfect end'. What is equally important in this context is that one recognises that Paul is not speaking of some abstract perfection. No, the use of an illustration of physical exercise to reach a specific, perfect, goal (the prize), helps us to understand that the kind of perfection that is required here is a functional perfection! It is about doing the best (practically) that we can with what we have.

He gives the following advice to achieve this perfect, functional, goal – first he says in verse 13 that we should forget what is behind. He uses a very particular Greek word, epilanthanomenos from the root epilanthomai, which literelly means to 'become comfortable' with your memory of the past. In essence he is saying, leave behind what must stay in the past, and comfortably integrate what you need to take into the future. Why? Well quite simply if you get stuck in the past (if you cannot let it go) you will never have the freedom to reach for the perfect prize. So, I have had to let go of many things that I thought I knew and have the courage to learn, and unlearn, certain things in order to move ahead.

Second, he says that in order to go into the future one will have to 'strain towards what lies ahead' (verse 13). The Greek word used here is epekteinomenos which comes from the sports arena, it means to stretch, to strain, to exert oneself in a manner that is not 'comfortable' or 'normal'. The best way in which I can describe the complex meaning of this word is to liken it to the feeling that you get in your hamstring (that muscle at the back of your leg) when you reach to touch your ties while keeping your knee locked. The stretch in the hamstring is an epekteinomenos, it is uncomfortable, but when it is done carefully and intentionally it increases your strength, endurance and performance.

I feel a little like this, needing to 'comfortably forget' my past life while 'uncomfortably stretching' for the future that my new life holds.

In the next week I shall participate in an International Transformation Network conference here in Somerset West, I shall attend a public broadcasters convention and give input on new media and the emergent Christian conversation, I shall have lunch in parliament, fly to Johannesburg for meetings, fly to Pietermaritzburg for the 'Mighty Men of God' conference, go to Kenya, and prepare for a trip to Israel in two weeks. By the end of this year I will have been in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Kenya, Ghana, and England.

There are great expectations, but there are also great rewards! What an incredible privelage to be part of this great ministry!

You know what the best part of all of this is? I am in an organisation that takes my family seriously! Megan, Courtney, and Liam are invited out, catered for, and cared for. They are always welcome at meetings, conferences and events. Megie has even been offered the opportunity to come on two of the overseas trips with me with expenses paid!

A miracle step from our miracle boy!

Today is a truly memorable day for Megie, Courtney, Liam and I - on this day (8 April 2008) Liam took his very first step on the Starnd beach!

What makes this so special? Well, when he was born 16 months ago he was just a tiny little spark of life. He weighed 1 kilogram and had very serious brain bleeds. The doctors cautiously told us that he may not survive more than a week, and that if he did survive the chances of normal develpment were not very favourable.

Well, his little life has had some challenges. He has spent about a third of his life in hospitals. But, his life has many more miraculous signs of God's powerful healing grace!

That first step on the beach today is a testimony to the power of God to lovingly and powerfully answer prayers, beyond what we could ever hope or imagine (Eph 3:20). This evening when I got home from work Liam took another step (just showing off! Haha)

We thank God for his life, and his living! Megan and I continue to fast each Friday for all children, and their parents, who long to experience God's healing power.

The end of a GREAT first day!

I had a great first day! I'll send some pictures of my new smart office (on the top floor next to the board room!) tomorrow if I get a chance.

I had a busy day meeting people, sitting in meetings, working out the travel plans for the next few months, and even had a chance to preach at a small Christian business gathering over lunch!

It is going to be busy for the next few months! But, it is exciting work, and it makes such a difference to so many people!

One perk is that Graham Power has a 'box' at Newlands Rugby stadium! So, this Saturday after the ITN conference ends I'll be at Newlands to watch Western Province beat the Cheetah's!!

Thanks for the prayers!

Overcoming 'internetlessness' in paradise - the verdict is...

Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my question about how one overcomes the ravages of not having a steady broadband connection.

So, the verdict is.......!

Most of those who responded (from within South Africa - that excludes Paddy the Monk with broadand in his monastic cell, and Murray the Anglican who can download videos of Morning Prayer in HDTV and still not slow down) use 3G of some sort (either via a USB dongle, a PCMCIA card, or via their cell phone).

Well, we happen to own a PCMCIA 3G card with a Vodacom prepaid sim card. Thanks to Gus and mevdominee I learned that you can convert purchased airtime to data bundles! That is just incredible!!! So, Megie has the datacard in her computer and we've got her a 500MB data bundle.

As for me and my house (the Apple Macbook Pro), we've decided to load a monthly 1 Gig data bundle to my regular MTN contract. That way I can use the data on my Nokia E90 when traveling in South Africa, and hook it to the Macbook Pro at the office and at home at HSDPA speeds for regular net connection...

Using Apple Mac OS X 10.5 I can even share my network connection via Wifi and turn my Macbook Pro into a wireless hotspot for our home for Megie, Courtney (and the neighbours) to share from their computers.

Thanks again to everyone who responded. I appreciate it a great deal. As soon as I've settled I'll be back up to bloggin speed.

I have a few VERY interesting trips coming up! In two weeks time I shall be boarding a private jet to Kenya for a 2 day trip to meet with government and business leaders, then a few weeks after that I head to Israel and Turkey... Please could I ask you to pray that my leg heals quickly! It will not be fun to travel on crutches!

Please also spare a prayer for my friends and colleagues in EMMU (and at John Wesley College). I miss them already, and I know that my departure places extra strain and expectation upon their already sparse resources and energy.

Having a little rest on a Sunday afternoon.

For the last 17 years I have either preached at, or attended, an evening service at the Church where I have been a minister. This morning we attended a service 'back home' at the Coronation Ave Methodist Church. It was great to be there! It felt familiar. Philip Buckland preached a great sermon and served communion. After the service we had a vist with our friends Andre and Kerry Fair! It is so cool to live in the same city as our Church and to catch up with old friends!

Tonight I won't be preaching, in fact I'll just be at home with Megie, Courtney and Liam. It is great to have a chance to relax! Here's little Liam getting a head start on the Sunday afternoon nap in the back of Megie's car!

Tomorrow is my first day in my new job / post! Did I mention that I'm nervous!? Spare a prayer for the new kid on the block...

Another tough day in Africa!

Ah, yes, another tough day in Africa! We're at Strand beach having bite to eat at sunset. The scenery is good, it's a fantastic day, 'en die Kaap is nog steets Hollands'!

Two ponies in their stable.

Can you believe that they managed to fit both my German luxury vehicle (aka the BMW 650GS on the left) and my Italian stalion (aka Mertyl the orange 1967 Vespa on the right) into the removal truck that brought our belongings the 1419 km's from Johannesburg to Cape Town!?

Well, here they are, two ponies safely in their stable!

Suffering from 'internetlessness' what's the best solution? A little help please!

For the past four years I have had ADSL broadband at both my home and my office.  For those in the UK and the US, ADSL is the fastest 'wired' internet access we have in South Africa.  Because of our telecommunications company, TELKOM's monopoly on the 'pipes' in and out of the country through SAIX all other providers have to rent bandwidth from them.

ADSL has been quite fine for my needs.  I seldom stream more than a few seconds of youtube, I don't download large updates, videos, or huge files.  At most I download a 40MB MP3 every other day as a podcast on iTunes.  

Now, however, my broadband needs have changed with our move.  First, I will be traveling quite a bit, so I do need a solution that will make internet access available at a fairly fast and reliable rate throughout South Africa, and even the world when necessary.  Second, we are renting our current home for just a few months while we look to sell our old house in Somerset West and buy something that is a bit larger.  So, we don't want the hassle of waiting for TELKOM to install a phone line, process our application for ADSL, charge us huge installation fees, and then have to go through all the hassle and expense in a few months time when we move.  Third, at work I am locked into a fairly restricted corporate network.  They use a Microsoft exchange server, which means that my MAC gives them headaches so they have asked if I would please use a Windows laptop (they are buying me a little Windows subnotebook for work purposes - either a Sony TZ, or the Acer 6292).  This means that my Macbook Pro (which is the machine from which I blog, record my podcasts, record my Radio Pulpit weekly shows, upload and download podcasts etc.) will not have steady broadband access through a regular network.

SO, here's the question:  What is the BEST and CHEAPEST broadband solution to meet our internet needs?

1)  Bite the bullet and get ADSL put in at home!

2)  Sign your life away and get a VODACOM 3G card.

3)  Didn't you know that you can use xxxx solution in the Helderberg Basin!?

If you have any advice, insight, or help you can offer to cure our 'internetlessness' in the Somerset West area I would be eternally grateful!

Please, also just drop a comment to let me know what broadband solution you use!  I would be interested to know (corporate network, University network, leaching your neighbour's wifi, dialup, etc.)

Thanks!

PS.  We had our first 'flood' in our new house last night.  We started a load of washing at 10pm, only to discover at 11.30pm that the washing machine wasn't working so we had a few inches of water throughout the house (and many boxes still unpacked on the floor....)  MANY, MANY, MANY towels and buckets later we had moped up most of the mess and hit the hay.  The good news is that I have fixed the washing machine!