openlp.org - a great FREE lyrics, powepoint, and Church projection utility!

Thanks so much to Stephen (see 'daylight' on the right).

He posted a facebook update about a launch he is attending. I checked
it out, and this is what I've found.

http://openlp.org/

This is a free, opensource, Church projection utility to manage your
worship song / hymn words and powerpoint presentations! This kind if
software often costs hundreds if dollars. However, this opensource
alternative is superb, and free!

Check it out.

Thanks again Stephen!

Character and will

I like this little quote:

"A character is a completely fashioned will" - Novalis

PS. I am reading Andrew Feinstein's remarkable book 'After the
Party: A personal and political journey inside the ANC'. My friend
Aiden Choles suggested it (see http://www.aidencholes.com). Thanks
Aiden, it is fascinating, disturbing, insightful, and a riveting read!

My other eye is on the cricket... Not looking to good at the moment!

A few days on holiday in Waterfall (KwaZulu Natal, just outside Durban) - a scene from 'The Simpsons'

Megie, Courtney, Liam, and I, arrived at Megan's parents yesterday
(the drive from Knysna is 14 hours long. But with Wessel's trailer
behind the car, it was a breeze!). Megie's parents live in a lovely
part of our country! It has great scenery, it is not over developed,
and it is quite close to the beach!

Don't you just love those clouds? They look like the ones in the
opening credits of 'The Simpsons'! This us another picture taken with
my iPhone. It was taken from the 'stoep' (the front porch).

We are truly blessed with a wonderful country!

Romans 15v13 - A prayer for you. May the wonder of the Bible come alive in your life.

This morning my new friend Nour shared a verse from Paul's letter to the Romans with me.

I am a scholar of the Bible. It is part of my job to understand the composition of the text, its grammatical structure, the meanings of the original Greek words that were used by the original author or authors, the socio-cultural and historical issues that were being addressed, and of course to relate verses or sections of a book to the broader theological themes of that genre of texts, or that author's other writings...

Sometimes this rigor can be so distracting that one forgets to listen... Sure, there are many times where I approach Scripture just to 'hear'. For example, when I am preparing a sermon, or seeking guidance and encouragement for my own life or someone else's. But, even then, I tend to weigh up what I read against all of these 'exegetical' principles.

Every now and then I need reminding of a few points:

• God's revelatory power does not require scholarship! Sure, the person who is called to preach or direct the lives of others using scripture has a responsibility to approach the text with meticulous care - but, for most people allow the text to 'read them' is enough. By that I mean, when I hear someone 'giving a verse' that has touched them, it is quite often an indication of what is going on inside of their heart and mind. It is almost as if the text has come alive for them because of who they are and what they are facing.
• The Bible is a powerful instrument for spiritual guidance, direction, and formation. All of the literary typing, syntactical-grammatical intricacy, and source language translation cannot compensate for the reality that the 'sacred text' carries a great deal of 'sacred weight' because it is infused with centuries of spiritual tradition, countless instances of grace, and numerous testimonies of power and transformation. I know that some theologians (like Milbank and company) find the 'sociological' constructs of theology problematic. I do too. However, there is no doubt that those constructs shape meaning, and so give great power to the text! For example during South Africa's apartheid past the texts I heard preached more than any other in our black congregations were the stories of the Exodus from Egypt into the promised land - the text itself had developed a parallel story in the lives of its preachers and hearers. The Exodus narrative was often overshadowed by the community narrative of the need for liberation and hope. So, the Bible is immeasurable powerful, not only because of what it is, but because of what it has become for us.
• Receiving guidance, inspiration, comfort, and counsel, from scripture requires a measure of naivety. There is a great danger to thinking that you have all of the angles worked out! I have probably read the Bible from cover to cover 4 times (maybe a bit more in some sections and less in others). I have worked very closely with certain genre's (particularly as I have taught New Testament. For example this year I taught Pauline theology, Luke / Acts, and the Catholic (often called the 'general Epistles') for the 5th year. I translated a book from Afrikaans to English that discusses the a thematic thread that runs throughout the whole of the Bible. It is masterfully written by Professor Jan van der Watt and is called 40 days through the Bible. I have edited a number of books and articles for the same scholar and for Professor A B du Toit... etc., etc., (you get the picture!) So, I have come to understand the complexity and intricacy of many of these texts. The danger is that one thinks you have it all buttoned up - you've understood the plot lines, or the issues being addressed in a narrative, you can tell which redactor added which parts, you can do a grammatical or linguistic typing, you have a fair insight into the context and meaning of words in the life of the original author and hearer, and so you stop listening! That is very dangerous! It is almost like being married for a long time and thinking that you completely understand your partner! The expectation of 'surprise' and 'novelty' should always accompany a reading of the sacred text. One should never open one's Bible without saying "God can, and will, encounter me in new and creative ways!"
• Be willing to approach the text creatively! A final element that I have rediscovered in recent years is the necessity for creativity in reading the text. Just like a romantic relationship requires novelty and creativity, so our approach to the Bible needs a bit of difference and 'spice' from time to time. What do I mean by this? Well, here are a few things that I have found helpful, as a Christian who desires to hear God's voice and my community's message through scripture.
  

1. First, be prepared to 'hear' the text in new and unconventional 'voices'. What do I mean? Well, why not get yourself a different version of the Bible. If your own Bible is an NRSV, (which is a 'word accurate' translation - i.e., the translators took a lot of time to accurately translate the individual Greek and Hebrew words), then why not take a few days to read the New Living Translation (which is a 'sentence' or 'concept' accurate translation - i.e., the translators first sought to translate the whole sentence, concept or message of a paragraph and then went back to make sure that it is in keeping with the intention of the original text). This simple step could allow you to hear the message of scripture in an entirely new voice.
2. When you read the text approach it from a different contextual vantage point. How do you do this? Well, if you are male, why not read the text from a female perspective (i.e., as you read ask yourself a few questions, "how would this passage sound different to a woman?", "what elements may be more significant to a young woman? Would an old woman hear different things?") In particular this technique has been very helpful as I have tried to understand what God is saying to different people and groups (e.g., poorer persons, people who are outside of the Church, people who are younger, people older, gay persons, educated persons, uneducated persons). I'm sure you get the idea.
3. Read the text in different places and at different times. Whilst I do encourage persons to form good patterns and habits for reading the scripture. It is good to have a daily time and place in which you read the text. But, reading the Bible in different places and at different times can add a whole new perspective. I have found wonderful new insights through reading scripture on a day walk in nature, or in the center or a busy city, on a train, in a hospital, among refugees, in an office building etc. You seen context adds to our understanding of the text. The human brain is a very complex 'meaning creating' organism. When one reads the text you are not only taking in the words that are on the page, you are also taking in many other stimuli from your surroundings. So, this can add new value and meaning.
4. Find out how other Christians have interpreted and read the same text. If you are a protestant, then find some Catholic, or Pentecostal, commentary on the same text. There is nothing quite as sad as thinking your tradition is the only correct one!

So, these are a few tips on allowing scripture to come alive. My friend Nour, (the serving Egyptian) shared a text with me this morning. It means a great deal to him, and so it means a great deal to me because I am with him. He read the text to me in Arabic, from his Egyptian perspective... It was new and fresh! This is what he shared.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. [Romans 15v13]

So, may you find new hope and joy and peace in believing that God, through the Holy Spirit, can speak to you anew this year.

[PS. the picture above was taken at sunset a few days ago. It was taken from the Knysna lagoon on my Canon camera. I thought it was quite nice!]

The serving Egyptian - I am learning firsthand what servanthood means

Nour Sahid is a Christian from Northern Egypt. I met him some months
ago while I was doing some ministry in Cape Town. He has been with us
in Knynsa for the past few days. This is the first time in my life
that I have experienced a servant for whom no act of service is too
small! Nour rejoices to carry things, to make people tea, to move
stuff around, and to do anything that will show you that you are
precious and valuable to God.

This man came all the way from Egypt (this is his second trip at his
own expense) just to serve! He has Bern staying with the students at
Eagle's Rising (a Christian youth training centre in Gordon's bay) for
about two months now.

Nour embodies the message if Phil 2v5. He is an accomplished and
gifted man who has given his life to serve others.

I have realized that for a long time now I have only paid lip service
to servanthood. I tend to be impatient when asked to do things that
break into my schedule, tasks tend to take priority over people...
Some of you may know the drill.

However, here is a man, who like Jesus would not hessitate to wash the
feet of others... He requires no recognition of who he is, or what he
does. His greatest joy is to serve.

Thank you Nour! You inspire me!

Quenching our thirst, buying food with money we don't have. Wine, and Milk and Honey! A year of God's gracious favour...

Tomorrow I shall be preaching in the company of some of the most affluent citizens of Africa, perhaps even the world... They are fortunate people in an unfortunate world. However, they work hard to earn their fortunes! Most nights they are still working long after I am home with my family. They face pressures and demands, responsibility, and live with a constant sense of expecatation. Many of them also live with the real guilt that comes from having 'made it'; from 'having it all', when there are so many who do not have enough...

I also live with that guilt - although for a slightly different reason. Strangely, though, guilt may be the wrong word. Perhaps I just confused. You see, I too have far more than I need, and have received absolutely lavish and undeserved favour this year! My bank account may not look like theirs, but my life is the same. I am rich in more ways than I can number, but what is different about my wealth is that unlike their deserved fortunes, I have not earned mine. They were given as a gift.

I follow many blogs. I have often mentioned that there are many blogs better than mine (in particular I love Sivin and Stephen's blogs).

But, this year I have often pondered this post by a fellow blogger, and friend, Pete. Strangely, I have thought about this post more than any other. It is an honest post, and it is true. It speaks of the fact that God does not have favourites. I like the theology of his post... In fact, it is also my theology (in the sense that I share Pete's perspective). However, I remember when I read it (February this year), little Liam had just come out of almost 3 months in the Pretoria East Hospital's ICU. He was small, weak, and should have been dead (because of his brain injuries) - yet somehow this God who shows no favour had heard my prayers, and the prayers of many others, and he lived. Perhaps it was the truth of the post, coupled with the grace of Liam's life, that caused this one post to remain in my mind. It dawned upon me throughout the year, again and again....

I was spending money that I didn't have! [Don't worry the image will become clearer in a little while]

This is also the year in which I celebrated my 13th wedding Anniversary. Megan has been a faithful and patient companion - she is loving beyond measure, and I am constantly humbled that someone so pure, gentle, gifted, and committed to Christ, would stick around with me. I am eccentric, I am difficulty, my life is irregular (when I am home I seldom sleep, I always work, I never stop dreaming about new ways to do ministry, about gadgets... And that's when I am home! I am so often away from home that I am always blessed when I return to find her lovingly accepting me back! I go to places she would love to go (like Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Durham (US), Spain, Israel, Turkey, Morocco....), and places that neither of us would like to go (I won't mention those, because I have to return to some of them again next year). Yet, somehow even when she cannot be there with me she rejoices at my achievements and celebrates my success). If the truth be told Megan is much more gifted, and should have far more recognition than I do. I don't know why she loves me? But, I am glad that she does!

And so, I am fed by food that I cannot buy, and it sustains my living! [Yes, I'll explain in a moment!]

This is the year where my daughter, Courtney, learned to ride her bicycle, asked us to buy her high-heel shoes, stopped thinking that it was 'cool' for me to take her to school on the motorbike... Yet, even though she is growing up, she still likes to sit on my lap and watch TV. She still tells me about her friends, her joys, her struggles, and her wishes - and she does so enthusiastically! She still likes to fall asleep on our bed. She has also prayed for me, and often prays with me. This year, for the first time, she offered Megan and I the kind of comfort we have only ever experienced from other adults. When Liam was very ill and in hospital a few weeks ago, as Megie and I cried, she hugged us, told us he would be fine, and then said a little prayer. She is amazing! I cannot fathom why God would entrust me with someone so precious!

And so, my life is filled with the sweetness of honey! [Yup, stick around... I'll tell you why in a few moments]

This year was also another gracious year in the ministry of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Many of my friends would know that I resigned from the MCSA in April 2006 - the political wrangling in our denomination had become too much! Like any institution that involves people, this Church can be a difficult place. I couldn't take certain struggles anymore, and so for the sake of my love for Christ, and my love for the Church, I resigned. But, sanity prevailed, the Church's were gracious and courageous to see where change was needed, and I was persuaded to stay - thankfully! It has been a year of wonderful growth and maturing. Not very many things have changed. There are still difficult leaders, unrealistic expectations, little thanks, arduous demands, and troublesome cases... But, my perspective has been changed by grace. I do not serve in the Church for the church, I serve in the Church for the God who endured hardship, suffering, and even death, to achieve what was needed for my salvation. So, this year has been another gracious year of service! I am more fortunate than just about every other minister in our denomination! There have been a few tempting options this year, but I praise God for giving me the courage to stay where I am. It is right.

And so, God has given me milk - milk that deals with the heartburn of an imperfect meal... But, it works! And I am still able to eat!

I have experienced the grace of many friends this year! When I first prepared this post I wrote a whole list of names, and what they mean to me, and all they have meant to me this year... There are so many! However, I am afraid of not mentioning someone... So, just do a search for the word 'friend' on my blog and you will see who these people are. They shape me, encourage me, they challenge me, they forgive me, they help me, they put up with me, they pray with me, and they let me work out who I am. My life is full friends! They are a gift from God.

And so, I eat what is good, and my soul delights in such fare!

This has been a year of birth, and rebirth, for me. Sometimes I have rejoiced, and at other times I have grieved.

I am a parent, I am a husband, I am a servant, I am a leader, I am a preacher, I am a member of a local Church, I am a Christ-follower..

This year I have come to know, in new ways, what it means to live under God's grace! I live in a constant state of undeserved favour. Even though I am a theologian, I simply do not understand why I should be so richly blessed... That is a mystery - perhaps part of God's mystery?

So, tomorrow as I speak about a God who was born to die, as I speak to wealthy and fortunate people, I shall be speaking to myself... I shall speak about this grace, the God of grace, who graciously pours our that grace upon us... The God who came at Christmas time to call us to grace.

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with spleandour" [Isaiah 55:1-5]

A blessed Christmas to you all. Thank you for being part of God's gift to Megan, Courtney, Liam and I this year. We give thanks to God for you!

Undeserving, but grateful to be alive in Christ,

Dion (Knysna, 24 December 2007)

God and the Nintendo Wii - a good Christmas sermon or children's message analogy.

In keeping with my last post on the great Nintendo Wii, I thought I would share this great link. I wish I had found it earlier, it would make a great Children's address or sermon for Christmas. All that you need is a Wiimote, an 'old style' Nintendo controller, and a bit of chutzpa!

http://skeetfaith.blogspot.com/2007/01/godnintendo-analogy-my-christmas-sermon.html

I would develop four simple points:

1. Like the Wii, Christ was given as a gift of joy, to be encountered and enjoyed, at Christmas.

2. Like the Wii, enjoying the gift of Christ does not require you to know all the rules (or all of the complicated stuff like an old Nintendo controller) - simply enjoy who Jesus is, live with him, and the rest seems to fall into place...

3. Like the Wii, you only get the best out of the experience the encounter when you approach it with commitment, passion, and a lack of restraint! Heck, have you ever seen anyone playing Wii boxing? It looks more like a bad 60's dance show! But boy, it sure is worth the fun!

4. Finally, the more time you give it, the better it gets to play the game. You learn how to react without having to think about every move!

Just a few thoughts!

Thanks for the great idea John!

Blessings at Christmas!

Dion from a wet, Wii playing, Knysna!

Wii! The most fun you can have indoors! Well, almost...

The weather in Knysna is not too good today. So, after we got back
from Church this morning (Graham and I went to an incredible worship
service at the Knysna Methodist Church where John and Debbie van de
Laar - see http://www.sacredise.com led the service. Their worship
team is incredible, and John preached a challenging message from Luke
2 entitled 'great expectations') we came home to Graham'e place to
play some Wii sports!

Just take a look at Graham's incredible TV! Now that is the kind of
TV on which to play games!

I need to start saving my sheckles to buy one of these! It is so much
fun, plus you get a bit of exercise while playing.

Here's a picture of Courts playing 10 pin bowling.

Thanks for an incredible service John! I could attend your services
every Sunday... Now, if only I could figure out how to live in Knysna!

Ripping up the waves in the Knysna lagoon!

Courtney and I got a whole lot closer this afternoon! We went out behind Graham's boat on his inflatable 'tube' called 'Super-Mable' - it has a sticker on it that reads "Fun and satisfaction guaranteed!" They sticker is absolutely true!

We had an awesome time! We got scorched by the African sun, but heck, it is worth it!

The best Rugby Captain, of the Best Rugby team (and me) [Pic]

As I mentioned briefly yesterday, I was invited to attend the Stormers
Rugby team practice in George in the Western Cape yesterday with my
friend Graham Power. He is on the board of the team and had a meeting
to attend.

Here's a photo Jean de Villiers, the new captain of the team. I met
him at the end of the practice. He is an incredibly quiet spoken and
humble guy. He kindly spoke to me for almost half an hour while I
waited for Graham's meeting to finish. He is recovering from a bicep
injury that he sustained earlier this year (which prevented him from
playing in most of the World Cup Rugby games).

I have attached a second photo of Luke Watson (the previous stormers
captain). I am not sure if I can post two photos to blogger. If I
cannot I will try to upload it at a later stage.

Lazy Tuesday (Neo-Orthodoxy) - snoop dogg meets Karl Barth!

Check out this video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rREO5kXyz9Y

My friend, Herr gott dokter Bentley, posted the YouTube video mentioned above on his blog (http://wesselsplace.blogspot.com)

It is a GREAT contemporary insight into the life and theology of Karl Barth!

I am still on leave (posting from my iPhone) which accounts for why I cannot post 'active links', and have strange formatting issues in my posts.

Enjoy the Video (simply copy the whole link above into your browser's address field and it should load)!

Update - here's the video.

Exhausting fun!

Holidays are fantastic! Often you try to fit in all the things you
haven't had time for during the rest of the year. Ours has been a bit
like that!

Sometimes fun can be exhausting, as this picture of Courtney asleep in
the back of Graham's car shows.

I wouldn't trade thus tiredness for anything! It feels great to be
tired from FUN!