One of the passages from scripture that frequently captures my imagination is from Psalm 90:12, it reads:
Teach us to number our days correctly (wisely) that we may gain a heart of wisdom
It was in my mid 20's, as my parents grew older, my grandparents passed away, and I began to realise that I was needing to be a lot more careful and strategic about my energy, time and involvement in things, that this passage first encountered me. At that stage I was much more energetic than I am now - like most young men I guess that I believed life would never end! I felt invincible! Now, however, I am well aware of the fact that I have this one life to live, and that I want to spend it achieving things that are truly worthwhile - things that honour God and bless all those whom God loves. The outcome of that would be to hear these words at my life's end:
Well done my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).
Well, here's a little video reflection on ministry, life, and numbering our days!
I would love to hear your perspectives on this.
I go on leave for a a short while - I am looking forward to a little more time for reflection, re-creation (being created anew), and rediscovery! Please do spare a prayer for us as a family as we take this time.
I will be posting all sorts of nonsense to my blog during that time... I'm sure you wouldn't expect anything less!
Thanks for the comments, faithful following, and kind friendship throughout the year. It has been an absolute blast! I will reflect on many of the joys and sorrows in the next few days and hope to post something about that. I had the joy of starting a new ministry, learning many new things, meeting incredible people, traveling to wonderful places. I've had two books published with my close friend Dr. Wessel Bentley (and the wheels started turning for our third book together just yesterday). We've moved into a new home. I've recovered from my motorcycle accident... There's so much!
But, the one thing that keeps encouraging and blessing me is the memory of a sacrificial gesture by my friend Pete Grassow. Some of you may recall that I broke my leg just weeks before our move to Cape Town. Pete flew from Johannesburg to Cape Town to drive me (and my car) back (it turned out to be a 16 hour drive!). I am still amazed by his love and care, this is truly what it means to be Christian and I thank God for you Pete! You're a true example of someone who's got that balance I speak about above right. Your life is spent ministering to people. I would love to be near you on the day we hear the Lord speaking of your life!
As for now, I still have quite a few things that need to be done before this day is spent...
This morning I recorded my next radio broadcast for the little radio show that I do called 'The Ministry and Me'. In this episode of the show I considered the perspective that John's Gospel gives on the incarnation of Christ. It some senses it is a birth narrative, like those found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but it is radically different in intention and focus.
By the way, I would love to hear if anyone has updated statistics on Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugees? The ones that I quote in this message may be a little out of date.
Have you got an old pair of shoes lying around, waiting to be used in a ritual gesture of disrespect? Send 'em to the GW Bush liberry so they can put them on the My Pet Goat shelf.
George W. Bush Presidential Library c/o SMU 6425 Boaz Lane Dallas TX 75205
Today is the day of reconciliation in South Africa. For many years the 16th of December was known as 'the day of the vow' in South Africa - it was a day that was used by the Apartheid government to twist faith in order to separate people according to racial lineage. In summary, the 'day of the vow' (Gelofte dag) was set aside to commemorate God's supposed saving of Boer 'frontier's men and women' who were engaged in a battle with Zulu warriors at what became known as the battle of blood river. It was believed that the Zulu outnumbered the Afrikaner frontier's people and were threatening to murder them - the leaders of the Boers made a covenant with God that because they were 'God's chosen people' if God saved them they would always remember that day with a special Church service. Some have suggested that they would have won the battle anyway since they had riffles. But, whatever the reasons they were spared. Sadly the Apartheid government twisted the message of this human tragedy to enforce the theological heresy that God somehow favoured the Boers over the Zulu, and that this proved that they were supposed to inhabit the land and subdue the native tribes.
With the end of Apartheid this day of separation was transformed into a day of reconciliation - it became a day on which the nation would remember that we are one nation, a nation in which all people have equal status and rights, regardless of our gender, age or race.
This morning during my prayer time I was convicted of how frequently we have allowed faith to be twisted to seperate and injur people, rather than bring them together and bless them. My friend Kevin Light wrote a magnificent little book some years ago entitled Right of admission NOT reserved. In it he considers how the Church (and Christians) have actively (and passively) excluded people form God's loving grace and mercy. He deals with some of the more contentious issues such as the manner in which culture, gender and sexual orientation have been used as weapons of seperation in the Church. But, he also discusses some of the more subtle forms of exclusion - such as intolerance of families with younger children (relegating them to 'cry rooms' - does that sound like the kind of place you want to take your family to be blessed!? A CRY room?).
Today is a day on which we are called to remember that ultimately the central thrust of the ministry of Jesus Christ is to bring about reconciliation (Col 1:16-23). Christ came to reconcile us to God, and in doing so to reconcile us to other persons and our true selves. In the little video reflection below I ask two questions:
1. What is your local Church doing to emulate the reconciling ministry of Christ? How has your Church engaged in a Christlike activity of bringing people together, breaking down the walls of hostility and division? Remember, that Christ said we would be known as the Children of God when we engage in 'peace making' activity (Matt 5:9). Is there anyone who does not feel welcome in your Church? Is there any group or person that is deliberately, or unknowingly, excluded from fellowship with you and God's blessing?
2. What can you do to bring about reconciliation in your sphere of influence? Is there a broken relationship among your family, friends, or colleagues, that you could help to repair?
Well, that's the video! Now, here's a little something extra...
I mistakenly forgot to switch off my camera (phone) at the end of the video for about the last 50 seconds or so... Ha ha! At least the video is not TOO embarrassing... It shows two things:
First, if you look carefully you'll see that I am driving under the speed limit! How cool is that!? Driving under the speed limit EVEN when nobody is watching! (/apply noddy badge /end application)
Second, you'll hear me giving a few rand to a person standing on the street corner who was asking for money (sure it was only my small change! But, it was an unconscious attempt at reconciliation on this day of reconciliation).
So, be blessed today, and let us never use our faith the separate and hurt people.
When you work under pressure there is seldom much space (or time) for course correction and fixing up mistakes! I find it extremely frustrating when I let something unnecessary slip, like arriving late for an appointment, missing a message, or not being able to meet a deadline.
One of the elements of my current ministry role that I find quite refreshing is the sense of urgency and decisiveness in the corporate environment. This coupled with the ability to work towards closure has been quite a change for someone who comes from a Church / pastoral background where decisions are often hard to implement because of the need to bring so many people on board. Of course, there is a converse danger in this environment - it is frequently so task oriented that people and relationships tend to suffer and fall by the wayside. That's why I thank God that I have the good training and sensitivity to people and relationships that comes from my Church background, but that I can operate in an environment that is suited to my natural inclination towards closure, decisiveness and pressure.
I would like to share two thoughts with you around this theme. The first is something that I have been tacitly aware of for most of my life, but is becoming increasingly clearer as I deal with more and more people in vastly different settings all around the world... The issue that I am talking about is the false concept that somehow certain people are 'better' than others. In the little video reflection below I discuss this... I so frequently encounter this attitude in the work environment, I have to battle with it in my own pride filled heart, and I see it in the Church as well. Society tends to create an unquestioned stereotype of what temperament and personality is most likable, successful, and in the Church what kind of person God loves most! I have been dealing with quite a few persons in recent weeks who have gone through the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) personality profiling. One tends to hear that a certain personality type would be better suited for this position, whereas another personality type would be better suited for a different position. In a purely functional, deterministic, sense I suppose there is some expediency and truth to such typing, but real life always seems to 'upset the apple cart', so to speak! Somehow people who should never thrive in a certain role seem to make a tremendous success of it, whereas someone who is a perfect temperament and personality fit simply cannot cope!
What is becoming increasingly clear to me is that each individual is a unique, special, and magnificent creation! And, that whilst (western) society may be structured (largely) according to extroversion, sensory, thinking, judging personalities at present, this will not always be the case! The baby boomer generation may have looked up to people who wooed the crowds, were able to capture the small details through their senses, exclude unnecessary emotion in making decisions, and use 'hard cold facts' to come to a decisive course of action, BUT, there is a need for intuitive, internally energized, perceptive, emotionally in tune individuals. After all, George W Bush would seem to be the quintessential ESTJ - look at the mess he's made of things! Whereas someone like Nelson Mandela seems much more of an INFP (so is Thabo Mbeki by my reckoning, and Jacob Zuma is a ESTJ...) Personality is great, but there must be something more to making things work!
When I read the verses from Acts 10:34-35 "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" it struck a chord within me. This is NOT a negative statement (spot the double negative in that sentence! I could be writing in Afrikaans here! ;-) Rather, it is a radically positive statement - how could God show favouritism when every person is God's favourite! That was one of the most enjoyable images of William P Young's picture of God in his book "The Shack" - the fact that God was 'particularly fond' of every person!
I like that about God! Here's a little video thought on the subject:
However, I have also come to realise in the last little while that one can live one's life within certain parameters that make it more blessed and fulfilling. A friend sent me these 6 keys to success. I thought they were quite good (on the whole) and so I am sharing them here. They may be of some inspiration and help to you - I think it comes from Rick Warren's book 'The purpose driven life' (it sounds like him! But, I cannot be sure).
Successful people have one obvious trait in common: personal discipline. They are willing to do things that average people are unwilling to do.
It’s my observation that successful people express their self-discipline in six ways: · Successful people master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. They do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it. “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 25:28 NLT).
· Successful people watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: “Those who control their tongue will have a long life . . .” (Proverbs 13:3 NLT).
· Successful people restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT).
· Successful people stick to their schedule. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you! “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).
· Successful people manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went: “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20 NLT).
· Successful people maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: “Control your body and live in holiness . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:4 NLT).
Now, where do you need to develop self-control?
The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself. Think about this promise from the Bible: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
The more I accept God’s control over my life, the more self-control he gives me!
I arrived back from Hong Kong yesterday - it was a truly magnificent trip! We did a lot of good work to plan for our broadcast in 2009. However, what left the greatest impact upon me was the manner in which the congregations (often called 'Churches') worked together to address the needs of the City and find creative and varied ways of being obedient to what they believe God's will is for the City!
Here's a little video reflection that I made on the way to work...
What do you think? Is there a difference between 'the Church' and congregations? How effective are the congregations and Churches in your area at finding and courageously fulfilling God's will? Sadly, I don't think we're always that effective at humbly working together to serve God and our community.
I'd love to hear more articulate and well though through ideas from others!
This is where a lot of Super 7 rugby matches are played. I've seen it on TV a few times. We'll be broadcasting the Global Day of Prayer from Hong in this stadium next year. We were here to make sure the broadcast venue and equipment is up to the job.
This was a picture from the Taxi on the way to Hong Kong airport tonight. We fly at midnight... It's been an amazing few days! (More photos to follow).
Yup, it is the diaspora... South Africans are everywhere! I found this cool sign late yesterday afternoon - it is for 'van der merwe' South African camera shop!
I managed to find 20 minutes of free Wifi at the Starbucks across the road from the YMCA. My next meeting starts in 10 minutes, so this was a perfect place to grab a Mocha with skimmed milk and send and receive my emails.... I am wearing my ONLY other shirt (bought last night at around midnight).... SAA still have not forwarded our bags from Johannesburg, and I fly back home tomorrow!
Well, my journey to Hong Kong began extremely well! My friend Dawie Spangenberg upgraded me to Business class on the 13 hour SAA flight from Johannesburg to Hong Kong (the short two hour flight before that was also great on SAA).
I have never flown on business class on an international flight - it was such a treat!!! I slept well, caught up on a lot of emails and work (there was power for my laptop), and enjoyed Dawie's company.
But, that's about where the good news ended. When we got to Hong Kong we were met by an SAA representative who informed us that the whole flight's luggage (excluding the SAA crew of course) had been left in Johannesburg! Can you believe it!? Not a single bag (except those of the pilots and hostesses) were loaded onto the flight! So, since I am only in Hong Kong for just over two days my bags are likely to arrive here by the time I am back in Cape Town...
So, yesterday I had to attend a number of important meetings in my jeans, track shoes, and creased shirt... Fortunately I have learned to pack spare underwear and a full 'travel' kit with razor, spare deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush in my hand luggage... I also (at the last minute) decided to put my laptop charger in my hand luggage (fortunately!) But I had no cell charger and no other clothes...
I don't know if anyone has ever had this before - but you can imagine the chaos at the airport when 300 people discovered that their luggage had been left in Johannesburg!!!
Well, at least the meetings are going well. We're preparing for next year's Global Day of Prayer broadcast - so last night we met with the TV folks, had meetings with local Christian leaders from the Church and business, and some local government representatives. A number of big ministry leaders were also present (Mark Anderson from YWAM and Call2All, as well as Rory Alec from GodTV).
Today the meetings continue (I managed to find an 'esprit' store down the road from the Salisbury YMCA where I am staying on the Hong Kong waterfront and by a cheap smartish shirt and pair of black denims). We'll also be recording the TV promos for a mainland China visit, and get to meet the representatives from the local stadium and convention centre.
As an aside, Hong Kong is incredible! It is a truly beautiful city with a lot of 'buzz and activity'! Wifi is a little scarce, so updating my blog is proving to be a little bit of a problem... But do follow my twitter feed for more up to the hour news:
Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 9:41AM 
George W. Bush Presidential Library
