Finding Hope

Long Time No Blog

2010-06-29T11:35:00.000+02:00

So it's been awhile since I blogged. Allot has happened, there has been heartache and there has been joy. I got married and Vashti is such a joy to have in my life. I really am a lucky Guy.

I have been sitting in my thoughts and just have become so despondent once again with the church. For some people it has become their source of life and I can respect that. My deeper fear is for us who haven't found that to be true for us. Us who have felt so left out from the structure that we feel that life is not to be found there but rather in the conversations we have with God and others.

What I have started to see in my life, Christians in general show intolerance for anything that does not fit into their perceptions of what is true. This past week I encountered a person who just blasted me with insults and made me feel like I was not a child of God. I just hated the church even more but strangely found Jesus more appealing.

My heart is moving away, away from the church, away from the insults and becoming more in tune with the crucified Jesus.
This journey is a hard one, and is consuming my being

Thought

2010-03-05T11:26:00.000+02:00

I was sitting in class today and it was said "People are more important than theology".

Which got me thinking now about the church we find ourselves in. Are people before what we believe? Do we address the needs of the people with theology or do we just address the people in love?

Hide The Conversation

2009-10-04T21:15:00.000+02:00

I have gotten myself into allot of trouble in the church in recent times. For stating my views and standing up for what I believe. I know that sometimes I do not do things in the best way and I fall short big time. Sad part apart and joyous part about ministry is that people are our lab.

I am yet to find someone in the church who will come speak to my face, except for 3. 3 people out of a congregation of 500. Why is it like that? Why do Christians not speak to each other in love, but rather we hide behind the pretences of Jesus?

I am learning new things throughout this experience. Like nipping things in the bud, listening to people, People who love you can hate you as quickly, people might not care for your feelings and people can twist anything you say but also that I am also wrong.

Now I don't want to assume myself a prophet because people have been often given themselves Godly titles and have been further from the titles but I can imagine what the prophets must have gone through in terms of being outcast and standing up for their view.

I am hurting at the moment, I am questioning my theology, but I have never been as passionate about God. My prayer is that I got don't get fired, or shoved out, or that this would effect my ordination.

I hate being owned like this, its not a game of grace but a game of power.

My Confusion With SEXPO

2009-09-30T18:12:00.000+02:00

Today on my university radio station they had a Porn Star in to promote SEXPO. Now I have gotten numerous invites to go to the sex expo and I have been thinking of taking some of the guys in my Youth to SEXPO to chat about healthy and “Godly” sexuality. Obviously I am not stupid because I know it would never go down well in the church. If I think people are unhappy now, you could imagine what it would be like if I did. I mean even if I went by myself as an observer I would be shot.

My confusion is this. The bible has very little to do with modern sexuality and marriage. People were married at 13 when they hit puberty and everything was prearranged. Love might have existed but I think in the majority of cases sex was rape.

There is definitely an addiction in people for pornography and it some cases sex. It is not only a male but there are some females who are addicted to pornography and lust for sex as well. Why is this? Young people hit puberty and have to wait at least 7 years before they can marry. It is either a very sick game on Gods side or pressure from a western society that makes it unfair. The church has been guilty of making people feel guilty in their sexual experiences. Young people feel scared/guilty to masturbate, they feel hormones change and no wonder they want to touch.

How do we encourage good sexuality? What is good sexuality? As people are not wanting to get married as readily as they used to what do we as a church have to say about Sex?

I think the addiction to pornography and sex is an addiction to intimacy. It what we crave at our very basic nature. How do we encourage healthy intimacy? I DO NOT KNOW

Black, White, Grey or Colourless?

2009-09-29T15:44:00.000+02:00

I had a meeting the other day with some girls in our church. The question was raised: “Why don’t you preach black and white?” My immediate response was to defend my view as I think most people would have done. This is my theology and therefore this is the type of Jesus I believe in.

It got me thinking though about this colour system we have got going within the church. There seems to be a thought that Black and White is correct and the Grey is the unknown which seems to be wrong.Why is this? Why is certainty truth and doubt a lack of faith.

What is wrong with doubt? What is wrong with a bit or uncertainty in our faith? Why do we have to have it all together? What would happen if people said we just don't know? Would people readily join us on the journey? Can the most stable footing for a relationship be doubt? I am not sure.

I love one of J.R.R. Tolken’s quotes: “Not all who wonder are lost” In life and in the bible not everything that is Black and White is godly. In fact Jesus snubs people for being to Black and white and not living in the grey. Maybe if people look at it the colours can be reversed. Black and White leads to doubt and Grey leads to truth.

I wonder if there will ever be a day where black,white or grey would combine to form a colourless theology. Where the way we speak about God and God’s love is so infused in our passion rather than our theology. Even this post is based on colour. I don’t think the language black and white and Grey is helpful for the world we live in. This colour system we have in front of us, is a label. Liberal or Fundamental.

Passion

2009-09-28T23:03:00.000+02:00

What is passion? Can we fall out of love with our passion or can our passions be constantly evolving that was once a passion in the past is now just a mere burden?

I approached some ladies today who have been very critical of my ministry. I asked what their issues were and what they struggled with and it came back that they wanted black and white answers but with allot of passion. Now I used to love the laws and the concept that the bible is the final authority but now my passion is those laws but the liberation that the gospels offer.

How can I be passionate about something I am not? Maybe the truth is my passion has changed not just with the Bible but maybe to ministry.

What happens in the Church when your passion changes? Is there space for people to move? I wonder if Jesus’ passion changed at all? If it evolved? My heart and head say yes. Engaged with the law in the Temple as a child but realised that God was amongst the people rather than the Temple. The move from Temple to People…Interesting

Sermon 27 September 2009

2009-09-27T17:25:00.000+02:00

Being Different

There is a huge intolerance in the world and I am sad to say that the majority of people that seem the most intolerant are those who have religion on there side. There have been wars fought throughout the bible and even post the new testament in the name of God, that have reeked of intolerance. Infect the very basis for the history of our country was from the church. September 11 two aero planes flew into the world trade centre killing thousands in the name of Allah. Which comes from the word alleluia which is the same God that we worship? George Bush taking a word from psalm 26 “Evil doers” justified in the name of God the Iraq war. I wonder what God thinks?

Not only have wars been fought in the name of God but judgment has been passed on people based on their different ideas of religion, looks and of their life. Just recently a tornado ripped through America and the evangelical church there blamed it on homosexuals. We have claimed authority over the world in the name of God but we haven’t allowed God to be present in that world.

Here is a little experiment have a look at the slides and see what you think

Who is the Christian?

It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates.

Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He’s had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.

Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He’s a vegetarian, doesn’t smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn’t had any extramarital affairs.

Which of these candidates would be your choice?

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Candidate B is Winston Churchill.

Candidate C is Adolph Hitler

Numbers 11

Note in the passage of Numbers how it is not the 70 leaders which would have given them prestige and honour but rather it is two men in the camp. These men would have probably been younger than 30 and would have not been seen as high up on the scale of authoritarian but yet in some way God speaks to the people through these men. Not in the tent but in the camp.

Mark 9: 38 – 50

Honour and shame. Jewish culture believed if you had an illness, that you were unclean and the reason you had the element was because of sin and this was a punishment from God on your life. So people who had leprosy couldn’t go into the temple because they were unclean or if you lost an eye you would be thrown out. Can I paraphrase the text just a little to see if maybe I can offer another aspect to it. Here the disciples knowing the Jewish laws and traditions come to Jesus saying master there is an unclean sinner preaching the gospel, in fact his not a rabbi or even a prophet but what he is doing is telling people about you and he is not like us. People are getting healed and this goes against everything we have been taught and everything we hold dear as a religion. Jesus says leave the guy alone and let them preach. You see its not who you or what you look like that makes you important. You can think you holy but its better to make yourself unholy for the gospel and in doing so you preach the message. Jesus is actually snubbing the people who think that they are the closest to Gods message. THIS IS RADICAL

I remember when I was young there was a game show on TV where they had a flies view of an object and you had to try guess what the object was. I mean they had cameras and the most arbitrary things you could think what it is. To my dismay no matter how hard I tried to guess the picture I don’t think I ever got one correct. I think that is often how we see God. God is so big and so massive that to try and understand God is impossible. In fact when we think we have even understood a concept of what and who God is we could hardly be further from the truth. Friends we are like that competition only seeing a small piece of God and can therefore never have the full truth. We need to see and hear other people’s perspectives

So what happens when people speak of a different theology than mine?

Maybe they are seeing a different side of God that you have not. Maybe there is some truth in what they are saying. Even if it makes you feel exceptionally uncomfortable there must be some form of understanding. There must be grace and there must be acceptance. If two are more are gathered in my name I am there!!!!

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

What happens if people are in a different religion?

Genesis 1 says that we are all created in the image of God and therefore we all reflect a piece of God in our lives. To say that a Buddhist or a Hindi or even Muslim is wrong is to deny God working in their lives. You see if we all reflect a piece of God maybe we can learn from other religions. We judge and we do not even know who they are. That doesn’t even sound like the Jesus in the bible. Jesus was first visited by astrologers not JEWS. Rob bell and minister in America went to a conference with some of the great religious world leaders and Christians stood outside and judge him calling him evil.

What happens if people are doing things that we know are hurtful?

xxxchurch.com at the the pornography expo

The truth is if we believe in grace and that Gods grace is bigger than any flaw we believe in then we have to say that it doesn’t matter exactly what you believe Gods grace will still find us there.

So may we start to learn that your greatest gift to me is your greatest difference from me. May we learn to listen rather than judge and may we allow God to be present in our conversations and our journeys.

I Swore In Church and at God

2009-09-21T17:02:00.000+02:00

Why is it that we can’t be honest with God? To sit in the raw emotions that we feel and be honest with God. Is it a sign of respect? Is it a sign of weakness? Does tradition dictate how we feel and respond to God?

Recently during a talk I swore and said where the ^$*! was God. In utter anger I swore at God. People have been outraged at this and have even questioned if I am a Christian.

Now granted the choice of words may not have been the best but it was honest. Isn't honesty what God calls us to? Is not being honest a sin? Well I came to the conclusion and think that if God cant handle my swear words then is God God? If grace cannot permeate my language, is it grace? Lastly what is more offensive to God a swearing honesty that even says they despise him or a lie of being dishonest that fake loves him?

How should we teach

2009-09-20T22:55:00.000+02:00

I love gifts. In fact it think its one of the things that make me feel special. Gifts don't have to be huge (although I would like a nice car :) but for me when you give a gift it must come from the heart. How do I know it’s from the heart? It reflects a piece of who the recipient is.

My family will testify to this. One Christmas my sister bought me soap. Now if you know me well enough you probably know that I haven't used soap for about 4 years now. And for those of you who are thinking “Doesn’t he smell” the short answer is no. But this is a whole new topic for some other day. Anyway needless to say I was very hurt and upset.

A couple of weeks I had a conversation with one of the guys in my Youth about the three big letter word called “SEX”. Cutting a long story short I basically said Sex/Marriage in the bible has a totally different context to our modern day world, Marriage doesn't always equal Godly sex and that if he wanted to have sex he should rather abstain but if he wasn't going to I would go but him condoms.

Also in a talk about the Holy Spirit I spoke openly and I swore at God in a teaching series. Just to show a. Honesty and b. Hope that God is bigger than my swearing.

Anyway so I got a present today and I am thankful for the present except one thing has got me trapped in a spin and is leading to some questions that I don’t have answers for. The present I found out from one of the people who chose it was an attempt to change my theology. So it wasn't a gift as much was a statement of judgement. It’s funny I know I shouldn't be upset but its got to me. That something that comes from love can be given in Judgement. Basically what was asked of me was to become fundamental. To fall in line.

So here are my questions…….

Am I being a plonker or do I have a right to be grieved?
Why cant people speak to your face but can make a million reasons why you are not approachable?
How do I as a labelled liberal thinker take people on this journey of thought?
Do we lie to young people for the sake of keeping them in line, knowing what we do now or do we express the truth even though its hard for people to grasp the concepts?

Religulous

2009-09-15T18:43:00.000+02:00

Last night I watch a documentary about religion in the world. It was actually very interesting. It challenged the fact that their is a God but in essence I think it challenged the way we read scripture and the way humans implement their understanding of God. I would definitely recommend that you watch it however just remember than editing and the agenda of the film maker will always leave a bias taste.

The person doesn't ask recognised scholars but rather goes to the bible belt in the USA. The Muslims from war affected areas and Jews from a conservative teachings.

This is I feel the challenge of the church. To question doctrines and the way we live. The church is in need of some good apologetics that are able to speak in a new language. The church might need to change or die or maybe it is already dead.

Have a look and tell me what you think

Smocking

2009-09-11T08:31:00.000+02:00

What is it about a little piece of paper wrapped around a plant, that can stir fear into the heart of Christians? We start to see the effects of that fear through judgment, a sense that the church will fall apart or even that people will drive past and say "They call themselves Christians and now look at them smoking".

I am sure there are bigger issues than smoking. I mean off the top of my head I could think maybe God would care more about poverty. Abuse, drugs, war, than a person putting a piece of paper in their mouth, but yet we find many churches shunning people who smoke before they walk in the door. Young people refuse to come into the church grounds if they are smoking or recently I had a conversation with some smokers, smoking in a dark hidden place behind the church in fear that someone would spot them and give them the lecture. Why do we as a Church not encourage honesty but rather force people into hiding. It’s sad.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have two parents who smoke and I cannot stand the habit. It is unhealthy and is not a good habit at all, but our job as Christians is not to change people but to love. LOVE!!!! God changes we love. But yet we find that we can’t do that we have to change them. Its weird Jesus accepted and loved people and challenged them later. I wish we could start getting people from judging which leads to hiding to loving which leads to liberation. Maybe this would lead people to come to church if they felt loved. Homosexuals, adulaters, and all who fall short of the glory of God. I think the people who drive past and judge the smokers are probably Christians. Small fact the bible doesn't speak about smoking.

Last One And Moving On

2009-09-10T00:05:00.000+02:00

Barry once told me that one of his favourite movies was Shawshank Redemption. So I watched on Saturday for the first time and it was good. Anyway one line struck me from the movie and it summed up who Barry was to me. In light of his memorial today I thought it was a nice line.

Red: "Sometimes it makes me sad though, Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are far to bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty now they are gone. I guess I just miss my friend"

How I Feel

2009-09-09T22:12:00.000+02:00

Today I am hurting.....Nothing more nothing less, Just sore

Barry Guy Marshall

2009-09-07T16:07:00.000+02:00

You ever meet someone once and you know that this person has made a profound impact on your life? Well that was Barry Marshall for you. I don’t think anyone could say that when they came into contact with Barry they hadn’t gone into a wrestling match with God. Barry inspired, challenged, loved, taught and mostly gave himself to you.

Barry is the reason I am a Christian today. When others were giving me crap Christianity Barry had the space to push me to new and liberating places. I will never forget Barry talking to young people about being drunk and saying honestly how smashed he got at his engagement party and how he challenged me to ministry by saying "what is the greatest gift you can give you your children, the latest IPod or the gift of simplicity". He taught me that to go into a song in different key you go to 5th note and 7th it.

Barry was a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Unfortunately Barry passed away in the sea almost a week ago. Barry you will be missed, not only by your family but by a generation of young and old that you impacted in astounding ways. You liberated many and even though people got upset with your views, you liberated them to.

Barry you died in the same way you lived. Paddling out to sea alone while others stood on the shoreline watching. Barry may you always be apart of our thoughts and our actions. May we to carry the liberation torch that has touched your flame to others.

I Need To Listen More

2009-09-02T22:46:00.000+02:00

Today Vashti my fiance came to speak to me. She is struggling with life. In the past I have been a Youth Pastor first and a person second. My identity was what I did and not who I was.

So for the past few weeks I have without noticing it been a Youth Pastor to her and not a person. I have been quick to give advice and be the hero and slow to be a person who listen and is just present. I have fallen in the trap of being spectacular and to be all things to all people (Dangerous thing this ego)

I really hate what I term "Porno" Christianity. What I hate more than the posters, bangles and the dvd's is "Porno" books but I was given 5 love languages by my brother as a present. Despite the "Porno" in it I have been able to see things that I could use to love Vashti more.

Maybe the Jesus in me is learning to start listening in weird places.

Spring Has Sprung

2009-09-01T10:15:00.000+02:00

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

I like winter, but eventually it gets old and dry and well really blaaah. Today in the Southern Hemisphere we sit in Spring :) and its awesome to see. Just outside my flat is a tree with the most beautiful buds growing. It's amazing what a day like spring can do. It seems in a way to lift the spirits. Offer new life and make the world seem life a happy place (unless you live in England)

I am excited for this spring in my life cause winters over and its time to party

Hope in Death

2009-08-31T22:14:00.000+02:00

I know people don't die... In fact I know that because I have faith in a God who had the final say in death.

That however does not make death and easy thing to deal with. I have sat for a week now listening to other peoples stories and have been deeply impacted by them. I have a deep sense of loss. My tears are other peoples tears and my heart seems to beat in the pain of others. Is this how we were created? Is this part of what it means to be a community? Is this what Jesus meant when he said "when you did it for the least of these you did it to me"

How much emotion is too much? Should ministers be like doctors? A bible in the one hand and a shovel in the other?

I just know these emotions of mine are in uncharted territory and its hard.

Faith makes things Hard because there is always a place for my hope to be wrong.

Death

2009-08-26T12:08:00.000+02:00

What is it about death that scares us? Makes the human soul weep? Leaves us begging for more of what was lost.

Yesterday Wesley a 20 year old in our youth committed suicide

I saw young people cry, break and people hurt from the very place that love flowed from.

Wes we shall never know why but we celebrate your life and hope you enjoy the moves in the eternal dance that you are now part of.

Here I am send me

2009-08-23T12:57:00.000+02:00

I hate the bible sometimes. So often it can leave me feeling empty and lost and at the same time it can give me hope in the love and movement of God in the world.

Its no secret to the people who know me that lately I have been feeling pretty sad about the church and my calling to the God has really taken a knock. I wonder if minister are ever called by God or are they called by the church?

Anyway so I have been thinking about my calling. I am tired..... Tired of many things but the thing that probably makes me tired the most is my theology. Being labeled as a "Liberal" "Post Modernist" "Emergent" "Satanist" has one thing in common, the fight. I have to constantly defend my views and am almost always labeled as wrong without being hear, instead of being accepted as a disciple. I am tired of fighting and not being love by my fellow disciples.

So today I was watching Rhythm by Rob Bell at youth church and he spoke about being part of Gods song. Being in tune to the music of God and playing in that rhythm. In one part of the video I felt vulnerable, safe, open, closed, lonely, cared for, sinner, graced....The emotions were just one of the same and at times totally separate. All I could hear was hear I am send me....And here you are, so am I.

I don't know if minister is where I want to be, in fact there is very little I do know, however, in the word of all who fought for the rhythm of God I shall say "Here I am send me" and I am sure that God will reply "Here you are, so am I"

Church?

2009-08-21T23:35:00.000+02:00

Is the church dead? Is it dying? or could it be far more alive than I ever could imagine?

Recently I heard from Dion Foster that the business world and the church have a completely different language. So much so that the church is seen as out of touch and has lost the plot. We can debate the fact but we can see it in Europe that the church is dead. We can debate the where it started, The crusades (with the church killing for God) The enlightenment (Thinking in a new way which the churches responses was fundamentalism) or could it have been when the church split in the reformation. Regardless of the fact the church in the west is dying.

I can see why. I see it in the boring meetings and the lack of God in the finances or even claiming to be Christ's hands but keeping them in its pockets. The church claims to have Christ but what it has is a bank account, nice tea cups and lovely dead flowers. Where is God? Where is the Jesus who challenged the very structure that people of his day called Church? What would Jesus say of his church? Would his bride be a whore? Would his

body have missing limbs or even in the grave?

Some questions that have been running through my mind is simple but rocked me to my core.

1. Should we as the next generation leave the church to die, (the current structure of church) but work with the young so they can rise from the ashes

2. Am I called to the church or to follow Jesus?

3. What has the church to offer the world in terms of corruption

One of my favourite sayings comes from St. Augustine who said " The church is a whore but she is my mother"

God would you guide me in the quest for more questions and answers that lead to more questions?

Blogging For The Soul

2009-08-21T16:45:00.000+02:00

So I haven't blogged in awhile and I was thinking that I actually miss it. So I have decided to give it a shot again. This time I do it not for opinion or for understanding but just cause.

I just got to thinking where is my life now.....

Here some questions :

Is it ok to dislike the church?

Am I alone in this world?

What is the Gospel?

Who is Jesus?

And why do all of the above make me at this point in time so depressed with my life....

Its a conundrum of questions but I hope I might get some insight to them all.

Ciao

Who wins??

2008-12-05T20:20:00.000+02:00

I wonder if God also sighs when she thinks of the joy and the release, we humans could experience if we would just learn to go out of our comfort zones and out of our thought patterns and out of our experiences and out our belief.

I wont lie the past 2 weeks I have been trying to sift through allot of muck. The homosexual workshop has been put of Dcamp. Not by me but by the Youth Pastors of the various churches that attend. What I have been trying to understand is how much of the situation is people that are homophobic and how much of it is narrow sightedness.

I think my most hurtful comment was when someone said that if I cause one of there youth to stumble into homosexuality (which was not the point of the discussion to prove it right or wrong but to listen to one person experience of Christ and their sexuality) I would have a millstone tied to my neck and thrown into the sea. NICE and VERY CHRISTIAN approach I think. I can only imagine the plight of the homosexual. Oh and just cause people are pro homosexuality doesn't make what they have to say any less truthful. apparently as well talking about homosexuality to teenagers will make them turn to homosexuality???? Just like talking about drugs will make teenagers druggies

So anyway at least I see people who are supporting me and trust me enough. To those who did thank you....

May we learn Jesus you always listened before you spoke. John 3:17

Watch This Space

2008-11-18T11:17:00.000+02:00

In December a whole lot of young people 200-300 will be going to Port Shepston on Dcamp. Leadership Training.

I am running an IDT (In Depth Training). 5 days on poverty in South Africa. Watch this space to see young peoples responses.

Also I'll be running 3 workshops. 1. Jesus and Money 2. Jesus and Homosexuality 3. Evolution and the Bible.

For the Jesus and Homosexuality track I am hoping to bring in a Homosexual Clergy. This will be in the style of an interview and will be blogging on the whole thing

Watch this space as it will try and show you just how insightful young people are!!!

Hope In The Now

2008-09-16T14:25:00.000+02:00

I find myself going through stages where depression flows from my soul and turns me into a crying and sad person. Vashti has been really good and has been supportive me through this....But it has left me in a place where I have been trying to find God. But not this footprints in the sand kinda God but a God who is in my struggles and is trying to walk next to me.

The more I realised this, I realised God is not in control of the world... If God was in control there would be no poor, no fraud, no separation, but God is not in control. But God is actively involved in his creation. So where is God in this situation?The more I've looked around I have come to see the denial of the truth by using Jesus as a cover up. Maybe if we actively searched God off our couches and salaries we would see that God is speaking to us in a far deeper and far more open voice than we ever thought possible. God is calling us to partner with God self in the world and be involved in bringing the kingdom on earth.

Just a note on this I have been offered the Youth Pastor position at Lyttelton Methodist Church and I have decided to take it.... WOOOO HOOO

Grace Beyond Our Expectations

2008-08-03T18:27:00.000+02:00

So can you believe it.... I actually found a girl who like me back. This is an achievement :)
Anyway so its been a long time since my last post but I have been thinking allot. Is Jesus a God where we have to grovel at His feet? What the deal?? Do we have to sit and pray and pray and pray and pray to get anything? Why is it that we find ourselves almost begging God for anything. Where is the love? Where is the Grace? Truth be told I don't think I want a God like that. That in my suffering and pain, in a communities suffering and pain, in a countries suffering and pain, in a world suffering and pain, God is trying to teach me a lesson or I have to pray 70 times before Gods sectary Jesus lets God hear my prayer. Sorry if that is who Jesus is I think I am leaving the church.
However I came to a lecture the other day with this tension in side of me. The lecture spoke of the enlightenment. Now I understand the root of I generation. This is where the French Revolution started. It was a place that said what about my own good. I don't want to be a peasant I want to be something more. I am important and I........... I........... I............ I.............

Before this point, community was the most important aspect. The highest form of salvation was in the community. Jesus spoke into that... Salvation was a community exercise.

Which got me thinking on the lines of do I have to accept Jesus to know salvation?...To know grace?... Does Jesus's save me regardless of my verbal commitment? Is an individual commitment biblical?? or even Christian? Funny enough Jesus never has an alter call. Is what we have now in or churches a product of the enlightenment?My own conclusion is that, Grace is offered regardless, Heaven is available for all. That must be the greatest gift that Christ bestowed on us. Its not about growling at the feet of Jesus its about experiencing the Grace of God in the world. The opportunity to be saved, to repent, to have hope. This leaves humans with the task of not saving people.. We are not called to save people, we called to love and become like the master. Tend to the poor, Plead the case for the widow and the ultimate form of human tasks, to lay down ones life for the people we don't know.

I think we need a little more community in our lives

Prosperity Schools

2008-07-09T10:25:00.000+02:00

I have lately been thinking about the prosperity gospel that seems to be touching the world of Christianity. It basically says that if you are poor it is against Gods will. The more you believe the richer you become. So some people have given their life savings to Jesus and have been left with nothing.However the main line churches are not innocent of this. They have these exclusive schools for the rich. The best of everything that the student needs at their finger tips. The catch you gotta pay R2000 minimum a month to belong to the school. How does this aid South Africa except aid the difference between rich and poor. The rich and poor should be separated because you are rich, you stay here and the poor are outside. You are better. That doesn't sound very Christ like to me. Seen's as the likely hood is that Christ could not read or write.
Is the gospel for the rich or for everyone? I heard of a school that put an underground sprinkler system in their rugby field. It cost R2 million. Sounds Christian to me?? (SARCASM)

Just A Quicky

2008-06-21T13:59:00.000+02:00

I am on holiday.....and thought I would paste my marks..... Not bad for a guy who past Matric by 3%

Back To Freud

2008-06-16T09:59:00.000+02:00

"Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock". FREUD

Are humans evil??? Are we bad??? That was the view that sparked the Renaissance and in the churches side started Martin Luther's movement into the Reformation..... The reawakening left people with hope, life and a new sense that God didn't want to fry people... How has do we see Ourselves now??? Freud in his wisdom and his experience of life became the father of Psychology and once you get past the part of all men wanting to sleep with their mothers, he was really quite good.... The sad part however is that he focused on the negative. The humans are bad and that psychology is extremely negative. I wonder if the world has adopted the same understanding??? Humans are bad. Further from that has the church fallen into the same mold?

Do we view people as bad?.

Some questions that have arisen in my mind lately....

Are we bad??

Does God want to burn us?

How do perceive our fellow human beings?

Are we living in the dark ages?

Why do we need to be saved?

What do we need to be saved from?

Who is Jesus in our context?

What is sin?

I am really just getting into the stage where I am realising God is love.... That means he doesn't wants to fry us..... People are good and beautiful and not just bad people. Yes we do bad things but deep down in us there is a beautiful piece of God trying to show itself to the world. God is love. We are so worried about saving people that we have forgotten that God is Love and he doesn't want to fry humanity.

I think that in some how we are fighting a battle in the church of the Mary's.

The church has had two Mary's..... And one has become predominant in Christian worship and the other has become part of a really lively discussion..... Which ever way you view them I think the church has taken the view of one. Mary Jesus's mother has the view of virgin, messenger, and almost perfection. I cant relate to that but the church has imposed this on people. This is who you must strive to be.....Perfection. But its left Mary Magdalene standing at the grave. She was a prostitute. Some scholars even claim that she was a high priest of a sexual religion around Jesus time. They get that from the way she cleans Jesus feet but yet she is the first one to see Jesus. She is the one that has been the worst off and yet is seen just recently to be one of Jesus disciples. A broken women finding hope and grace in Jesus. That I can relate to.

So often we accept people only if they belong to perfection... Jesus saw this that people are good. God is not out to fry us. Which leads me to my last question. If God is good is there even a hell??

The Church Vs. The Begger

2008-04-23T10:34:00.000+02:00

I was sitting in my ethics class toady and I came across a thought and I thought that it was really some thing that could be taken a little further.

Church

Relies on people to sustain it
Beg for money
Begs from a pulpit
Sends food to the poor
Talks about the poor
Is Rich
Teaches Jesus
Lives in a house
The world Passes By

Beggar

Relies on people to sustain it
Beg for money
Begs from a traffic light
Looks for food in where ever it can get
Engages with the poor
Is Poor
Knows Jesus
Lives on the street
The world passes by

A minister said to me the other the day that

When people look into the church what do they see?

When we look out of the church what do we see?

Here are some questions that I think that are important

What can the church learn from the beggar?

How are they similar?

How do we engage in that Jesus?

Where is the love?

2008-04-18T23:35:00.000+02:00

I was reading other peoples blogs when I came across this Link for a story that rocked me to my core!!!

Child phone thief ‘deserved it’

‘People in the country are sick and tired of crime and have become completely desensitised’

Website visitors applaud 12-year-old’s shooting

While police are still in the dark about the identity of the driver who shot and killed a 12-year-old smash-and-grabber, it appears many South Africans have little sympathy for the young boy.

Comments on The Times website seemed to weigh in favour of the unknown gunman who killed the boy in Boksburg on Friday, with some even suggesting the killing of the youngster rid the country of a future criminal.

With comments such as “he won’t be committing any further crime” to “the victim [the shooter] has done South Africa a huge favour”, website visitors made it clear they are fed up with the current crime situation.

The boy was shot after he apparently smashed the window of a white Citi Golf on Rondebult Road in Boksburg, East of Johannesburg, and stole a cellphone. A witness claimed the boy ran away, but was chased by the driver who shot him in the chest and then fled the scene in his car.

One visitor, writing under the alias “Fluffybunny” wrote: “That little scumbag- in-training was not just shot for that particular crime, it put an end to the dozen crimes he’ll go on to commit every single day, eventually ending in him becoming a murderer and rapist just like the rest of them ... so good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Dr Christiaan Bezuidenhout of the University of Pretoria’s social work and criminology department said these views reflect the sentiment of what he calls “a gatvol nation”.

“People are sick and tired of crime and have become completely desensitised,” said Bezuidenhout.

“All they read and hear about is how criminals rob, rape and torture people … we are already at the stage where ordinary people actually applaud those who take the law into their own hands.”

Having dealt with numerous under-aged offenders, Bezuidenhout said the youth of today are misled by what is perceived to be important in life, such as having the best cellphone and clothing.

“One has to ask, where was this boy’s parents and what role did they play in giving him guidance,” he said, adding: “But we all know parental guidance is sadly absent in our society.”

Commenting further on some of the readers’ remarks on The Times website, Bezuidenhout, said: “This is how crime has affected the psyche of our nation.

“It is not a racial issue, but rather a shift in our social patterns.

“People think the shooter is a hero because he did something the police couldn’t do.”

Captain Mack Mngomezulu said late yesterday that police have received no positive leads.

“We are investigating, but so far we have had nothing to identify the driver,” Mngomezulu said.

Wow I challenge people to look at some of the comments at the bottom of the article. Is this the norm in SA? Should we agree with this? Is Jesus still relevant in a country where this is happening?

One of Gandhi main principles was non violent protests. Where he believed that you show the person their lack of humanity by not fighting back. That made Gandhi a feared man in the world. A man with no guns and no revenge agenda scared the corrupt governments. Sounds a little like Jesus.....

Martin Luther King Jnr applied the same approach when the African American Race found themselves in a deep conflict with the South. Many black americans were beaten and strangled killed and houses destroyed. Martin Luther King Jnr found himself part of that and yet he proclaimed a Non Violent protest. Even at its worst the man still followed a Non Violent option. He said that when you retaliate you bread a sense of violence post your liberation......

Apartheid is wrong and I am not trying to defend the course it took. However in light of the non violent approach I wonder how South Africa would look now. The story tells of two groups. Whites attack blacks, blacks retaliate, blacks attack whites and now look the cycle is turning to whites retaliating. What are are we gearing ourselves up for?? This is such a dangerous place we find ourselves in and what does the church do?? It prays for a Saviour and meanwhile tries to create a devision that is dangerous for the land.......

The killer in South Africa is not crime but rather a breading of Violence that stems when the Dutch landed on our shores with Guns..... The britished added to it and now we live in the repercussions of our great grandfathers. Who says there is no such thing a children being cursed by our ancestors. Maybe we are breading this culture in our great grandchildren?

Women's Lib

2008-04-16T15:42:00.000+02:00

It's true i am serious but I saw this and I thought there must be a place in the world for the woman's liberation movement

The Rich Gospel

2008-04-14T16:10:00.000+02:00

I have been watching the Christian music scene in South Africa for some time and I think whilst they are doing a good job, I wonder if there is any place for the gospel in it. The strange thing that I find is that we have found a formula (Hillsongs, Passion.......) and we seem to be doing a windows shortcut on the whole experience. We copy and paste. Whilst that has its good news for musicians we have lost a context in our church. So we have lost the South African Jesus and replaced it with a Australian Jesus or even an American Jesus. Some might say look at Tree 63 whilst they may be South African they are an American based band and therefore have another context. Even South African worship leaders are constintly trying to repoduce the same experience that they say in other parts of the world here in SA. I wonder if Jesus had to ever walk into our churches would he ever say Is this not the vision I had for that church in Australia. The Side product of this is bad theology and meaningless songs enter our churches and we find ourselves selling our depth for a riff

The second thing that I have come to notice is that the average person in South Africa cant afford the price of a ticket to a concert. Even R40 is expensive when you have a family to feed or you have to go take your son to the Doctor. So the price of the Gospel is expensive? Should the gospel not be free. Surely it was given to us freely why then do we allow people to make a prophet off Jesus. The people who made the heart of the gospel pump are the ones we say are not allowed into our malls called churches.

Jesus has a great church growth plan..... Invite the poor

The Mind Of The Brave

2008-04-05T13:25:00.000+02:00

What is it about the world that great minds are ostracised? Do we believe that the great minds should sit behind a desk and every now and then they should write a motivational book. God forbid that the great minds come out from behind their glasses and challenge our lifestyles. NO NO NO their job is to make my flat screen TV clearer and make my life easier.

I would start to say that I am pretty controversial. Some people call it heresy and others call satanic. I don't think that when I start thinking that I should come with the most controversial thought but I do think that its what makes me come to terms with the world I find myself in.

I have noticed though that when people do not agree with you then they say either two things. 1. That you are forcing your views on everyone but the truth is if you stayed inside what they thought was normal then you wouldn't be forceful. 2. That you are wrong and that there is something wrong with you.

I don't mind so much people disagreeing with me and rejecting me but rather my deepest hurt is when the people you hold close start to reject you. Your views become so different that it breaks the bonds that should be so strong. My family is Christian and we cannot discuss Christianity in my house cause of the fact that the bonds of family are broken when I open my mouth. Its sad that the one thing that should unify us is the one thing that breaks us apart. Sad!!!

I really feel that I have isolated myself with just the way I think. I cant discuss, engage or even just relax with the people I love. Its a lonely place but what's the alternative find love and deny your true belief? I wonder how Jesus responded to his family structure being destroyed by what He believed. Its a lonely place when you hang on the cross and your family is the one shouting CRUCIFY HIM!!

The Side Of God I Never Knew

2008-03-13T09:07:00.000+02:00

As I sit in my lectures and see this God that I thought i knew. The few things I do know is that I know nothing. That God is far bigger than who I thought God was. Far bigger than the bible, far bigger than Jesus and far bigger than I could ever imagine.

I am definitely not one of those people who looks at the stars and goes wow!!! I cant fathom a God like that but i can get my head around a God of grace hope and love. That is the God that I never knew. A tangible open God who is challenging my thought and my soul (If I have one) but this God reaches across denomination across religion and across humanity.

Why??? What is this God up to??

Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds

2008-02-25T23:20:00.000+02:00

I subscribe to the New York Times Online edition.

This Popped into my inbox and I thought it was very interesting

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?8au&emc=au

If We Refuse To Tell The Truth Is That A Lie??

2008-02-24T22:17:00.000+02:00

When people look at the world they see certain imagery that makes their worlds become real. The hold on to the hope that what is Red is in fact Red and what makes their world come alive is in fact true and not something they perceive. Well at least that's what I think. Our world becomes this bubble. Once we look from the inside of the bubble our world has many shades and many dimensions that might not be a true reflection on reality but it could at best be our distorted view of reality.

What happens when our bubble pops. Do we look at the world and say this is not my bubble or do we embrace the new colours??? Do we embrace the bubble we find ourselves in?? The world is so much bigger, The colours are far brighter and the dimensions are far beyond what I can fathom in my little bubble.

Anyway so with this in mined......I have some questions!!!

Is God the bubble blower or is God the world and we blow the bubbles? Not sure if God gives us the perspectives of God or do we natural put it in to perspective?

Will I always see the gospel according to Justin and preach the gospel according to Justin.... My short answer is Yes but it leads to a Therefore........ I need to ask what is my perspective and what are the limitations of that?

How much of the truth and knowledge do we share about the bible with ppl??? Is the bible a bubble in itself? The bible is seen as this sacred object of God. In some ways it is seen as god and God is not seen as god.

And if we Refuse To Tell The Truth Is That A Lie?? If people ask us questions do we tell them what we know or do we shhhhh??

I don't know where I stand here...... I think the journey has begun

The Attack Of The Heart

2008-02-17T13:44:00.001+02:00

My blog is my diary more than it is my platform to speak and share from. So I wont shy away from writing what I feel on it even if people I know read it.

I preached last weak Sunday and I really enjoyed the platform. I never talk for God but i talk about my experiences of a God who encounters me in love. Some people say that I am extreme and out of Gods will and scripture. My first response is always thanks Jesus and secondly I really think that they are so challenged by my point of views that rejection and attack is the first response.

With that in mind I gave my talk. I speak on what I believe. I spoke about the calling of Joshua and Jesus's calling to us from his basis of love. So I said how God calls male and female and that its not Christian to say leaders are men and then I said my pic of God is black and female.

Then I said when we look at anything Old Testament we have to draw it along side Jesus. Jesus's example was that He didn't come to die for us but rather he came to love us and the consequence was the cross. We should therefore love no matter what.I ended off praying female. So Mother God.....

Anyway lets just say people are quick to burn people on the stake. I have been nailed in so many aspects. One of my hardest things to face is to face unbalance. When people are upset with me and actually hate me. It throws my balance out.
On a lighter note Trevor Hudson has agreed to be my mentor for this year so I am very lucky.
Oh and this is a warning watch out for this man. He can speak many languages and teaches Hebrew. He challenges me not in scripture but to get my work ethic up. Plus I just wanted to show him that he can make it onto my blog if I chose.

Hebrew is Tav Chirek He Samach

2008-02-15T16:06:00.000+02:00

Anyway so I started varsity, amd my brain is on a little edge. I have never worked this hard and i dont think twelve years of studying has prepared me. Granted in this month I have studied more than in school but regardless.

Anyway I am sitting in the lap of my calling and am just finding myself experiencing God in a new and profound way. I have never been a person where the bible has come alive but as I study its not the fact that i am reading it that is making it jump but rather the fact that I am struggling and finding it such challenging experience.

Here are some photos.

Enjoy

JT

Eskom " I wish I was the light of the world"

2008-01-19T21:57:00.000+02:00

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. ~Chinese Proverb

Eskom the electricity supplier to South Africa recently released a statement that blackouts would be part of South African lifestyles for the next six year. This has major impact on the economy and the lifestyle that we as South Africans live.

Numerous probes are being launched to see who is to blame. Thabo Mbeki said government was to blame for not listening to Eskom and wanting to build houses rather than power stations. Some people honestly believe Eskom and its management are to blame. I wonder if people have ever made mistakes that have affected other people?

But the the truth of the matter is as South Africans blackouts will be part of our daily lives. But with that comes great hope and great opportunity for our country. We could become the world pioneers in how to save electricity. The world is crying for a nation to lead it in reduction of emissions and decrease its carbon footprint on the world. We could be forerunners. This is forcing us to look at our lives and say the more I use the more it affects my neighbour. We could raise a generation of electricity conscience people or we could raise a group of people who have a complaining conscience built into them. I like option A!!

Even in my own house I had a look at the number of lit rooms that no one was in. I can make a deference in the electricity consummation in my own home.

We are a country that has the opportunity to experiment and play with this technology (solar powered traffic light) and maybe just maybe God saw we were faithful in little by reconciling the wounds of apartheid and now is calling us to save her planet??

The Female God

2008-01-15T10:19:00.000+02:00

I have had to experience's in the last couple of days and has brought me back to the sacred picture of God. The more and more I see how people see God the more I realise how central that picture becomes to how we engage with God, People, Creation and ourselves.
Two experiences came from two Christians. Let me just say that the one is highly educated in theology and the other has read the bible about 20 times cover to cover. We got on to the picture of God. It amazes me how we claim to know God is non Gender and how we seem to find ourselves saying Him, King,Man etc. in our worship in our prayers in every aspect of our Christian life. I wouldn't be surprised if deep down we saw a picture of God that was majority male.

The one person said that his friend like in BEE has gone to the totally opposite of the previous system so that it might balance it out. He started saying Goddess and her, she in the way they approached God.
The other chose to not believe that God could be female as scripture told him so. So God was Father period and that God was male and that's what the bible said.
I find myself living in this world where God is a male. Let me just say as males I do not feel we have lived a life an even imposed a life that has been beneficial to society. I would at no time call myself a racist in fact that's the last thing I want to be but I would call myself prejudices against black people. I am scared to experience there humanity as a fear of being robbed(Even though the majority of black people will not do that). So my picture of God is a black female. I want my picture to challenge me to a more whole picture of God, humanity, creation and myself.

Why cant God be female. Imagine the world if we started to live a life that represented the female side of God. I wonder if we saw God as a stay at home Mom looking after her kids how things would change?

The Journey Down

2008-01-07T01:05:00.000+02:00

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Tonight at church I found myself being shaken to my soul. For years I have been preaching the movement down and trying to get others to stop worshipping in self but worshipping in truth. I found myself in a bad mood cause I was turned down on the system and I was told to watch my pitch. Man I looked at the evening and I thought this would have been so much better if I had led this. I realised that I am jealous and I have broken command 10

The truth is if i step back I that i need to start the downward journey. I am a man still in pride and still being tempted to be spectacular and powerful when I be a man looking to move to contemplation, confession and reflection.

I just want to say sorry to God for making it about me and could you help me on this road less travelled, so that I might continue the downward journey

Namaste

Leading The Way In Democracy

2007-12-19T15:32:00.000+02:00

This week was a huge week in terms of the political structure South Africa will take for the next 6 years. The ANC who is the ruling party and whether we like or not will be for the next couple of elections chose to put forward Jacob Zuma as its president.The mood around South Africa can only be described as a mixed bag. Some people have now bought there plane tickets and others have found huge hope in this decision. The fact of the matter is that the ANC wanted change. They found Thabo Mbeki to not be delivering to the people. This is not to say that he was not a good president as Thabo Mbeki has grown the economy to the strongest it has ever been. The ANC felt it was time to enrich the poor and the workers of the country. In Thabo Mbeki's opening speech of the ANC National Conference he concluded that he had failed in these area's. Jacob Zuma is the best possible candidate at the moment that the ANC has to fulfil that role. Hence the vote to bring him in power.

So whether we like it not Jacob Zuma is here to stay. He might find himself in jail for corruption but he has not been proven guilty so he has ever right to be running for president. If he has the ANC will vote again. The ANC is not trying to screw the country. Lets have a little faith in people. Last time I checked Jesus had in us.

The last thing I am feeling is that as Christians we have not been so approving of this decision. We are trying to play God. God is in control. Lets put a little faith in God as well. God hasn't let our country down before what makes us think God will???? The church has a huge responsibility to support Jacob Zuma and to help him implement the Policies (Which I feel will move from Pro-Business to Pro-People) and to hold him accountable. There is an old saying if you can't be part of the solution don't be part of the problem or in the words of Charles Nqakula if you don't like the situation..... GET OUT.

Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and follow their orders. They watch over your souls without resting, since they must give to God an account of their service. If you obey them, they will do their work gladly; if not, they will do it with sadness, and that would be of no help to you.

The New Phrophets Of Our Time

2007-12-16T15:06:00.000+02:00

Quote from the Movie I Am SamLucy: Daddy, did God made for you to be like this or was it an accident?

Sam: Ok, what do you mean?
Lucy: I mean you're different.
Sam: But what do you mean?
Lucy: You're not like other daddies.
Sam: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry.
Lucy: It's ok, daddy. It's ok. Don't be sorry. I'm lucky. Nobody else's daddy ever comes to the park.
Sam: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah, we are lucky. Aren't we lucky? Yeah!

I was in Durban recently and I was spending some time with my Aunt. We were walking through a shopping centre and we saw a young boy in a wheel chair that could hardly move. He was at a restaurant and was being fed by his Dad. He had a bib on and with his head slightly tilted was drooling all over the bib.

My Aunt asked the question "Justin why does God allow this to happen". My immediate Western thought was to try and define God but I held my thought and my answer shocked myself and might have not made my aunt the happiest person.

I said " Maybe God is using these young people to be the prophets of our time. Calling the world to the simple things, to love regardless of who we are, to lose our possessions because they are worthless, to call people back into community, to tell people that God is in control". That shook me to my core. These people are not religious, they cannot speak, they cannot move, they cannot fend for themselves but yet they are screaming Gods grace and Gods calling on me and the community I live in.I watched an episode of Oprah on Autism (Yes men do watch Oprah just like women do go to the toilet) and the guy on the program was saying that when his baby was born he thought that he was gonna teach it to love instead the child taught him to love more and in a deeper and unconditional love. Wow we have a lot to learn from these prophets.

The Church

2007-11-11T21:37:00.000+02:00

“The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little, by way of example”. Mark Twain

Tonight in Church I got to thinking about my past and the hurts that had been inflicted and have been on the side of dishing that pain out. What is it in me tonight that made me depressed. Let me just say that I hate the Church. I hate for what it stands for and the fact that it has sold a POP Jesus and has really sold itself for money and for the easy road......

God the church has hurt me and God I have hurt people. What is the answer for the church. Where do we stand and where do we go.... The church is FAILING!!!!!! Its failed to love and to be Gods voice in the dark.

Sorry God Sorry world sorry creation and sorry self.... I need to learn and need to hear and need to grow. God please teach and make me uncomfortable in my skin.... Give me opportunity to love and to be Jesus.

2007-10-26T10:51:00.002+02:00

Have you seen this man????? Have You heard of this man????? Have you read what this man has written????? Cause this man has changed my life!!!
I went to see my friend off at the airport the other day. Gareth is a friend of mine I really trust and he gave me a book he hasn't finished reading. Irresistible Revolution written by Shane Claiborne. Little did I know that this little book would have such a profound impact in my life and push me towards a crossroad.Shane when was young went in search of the gospel and heard it many times. He had heard it many times but he had never seen anyone live it. My first response was owe come look at me but as I read on I found that if I was Christ like (Christian) then I have missed the mark horribly.

What happens if Jesus really meant meant what he said about the poor. We seem to use our highlighters to highlight what is important to us and we forget about what we don't like.

If we look at Jesus and his teaches we cannot dent the fact that Jesus had a huge heart for the oppressed and marginalises. Well he changed his whole lifestyle. Jesus was homeless and poor, he spent time hugging and touching the poor and lepers. We are called to be Christ Like. Doesn't mean giving up your house but how about living simple lives and serving the poor.

Jesus spoke about this many times but we have ignored it. The church has ignored and sold it self out. Jesus told us not to worry about money and the cloths on our back, do we live it?? I think not. When i was hungry, naked, jailed, you met my needs, when have we done that. Its harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven....

We have not followed this at all. There are very few people living the gospel and lots of people hearing it. The early church lived by these principles and look how it grew. Cesar said that not only are the Christians looking after there poor they are also looking after ours.

I am in the same boat as hearers. Shane started a ministry called The Simple Way. He lives for the poor and serves them. Living the gospel.

There a church in Soweto that has just been built. It cost $100 000 000 to build. It is in a poor area. It is a prosperity church.
The head of the church is Bishop Bira. I emailed him judge for yourself if its true. I posed as a non christian. He hasn't replied to part to of the email. Would love to hear your comments.

Dear Bishop Bira

I saw your program last night on late TV.

I want to follow your God but I have some question I would like to ask...

Ghandi said that I would have become a Christian if I had met one.

I drove passed your church two weeks ago Friday, My question is amongst
the poverty of the Miners hostel and near Bara how can you justify
building a church that is of that size with Gold writing on the wall. I
look at Jesus from what i have heard from passed friends and Jesus was
homeless, Poor and lived amongst the poor taking up their life style.
Surely the amount of money spent on a building of that size goes against
the teachings of Jesus. I wonder would Jesus want a church of that size
or would he rather have a church in a shack and that money going to
cloth a feed the poor.

I think I share the view of Ghandi, I am sceptic of this so called Jesus
and this so called church that fellows him.

What makes your church different??

Kind Regards

Justin Taylor

Dear Justin Taylor;

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ;

Justin;if you truly want to know Jesus, you should not go by the information of third parties, but go straight to the source that can introduce Jesus to you that is the word of God;

When reading the gospels you will understand that Jesus said; " I have come that they may have life and life to the full." (John 10.10)

So, we understand that everything that is good, enjoyable comes from God, and He is not responsible for any misery, but as the bible says, the devil is the one behind poverty and misery,

"Nothing is better for a man than he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labour. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." (Ecclesiastes 2,24)

I also believe that God has a plan in your life to change your life completely and give you a life of victory, give Him a chance;

Dear Bishop Bira

What does it mean to have a full life? Does having a full life mean that I have all the things that I hope for, like a big car, house or is it to have a broken life healed. If I remain poor for the rest of my life is God still blessing me?

Surely the reason I am poor has less to do with my religious beliefs and more to do with the situation I find myself in this country. If poverty comes from the devil why did Jesus chose poverty.

I decided to do some readings for myself and i was looking a 1 Samuel 16:14 and God sends an evil spirit on Saul. How come you say misery doesn't come from God but this reading says evil spirits come from God.

I am trying to discover God but I just looking for answers surely God understands this

Thank you for your correspondence

Justin Taylor

Home Is Where My Heart Is

2007-09-07T00:33:00.000+02:00

So finally I have decided to update my blog. Lets just say it was a little hectic and busy but now I am back in South Africa with allot to share.

Well the camp in North Carolina ended and i had an opportunity to go work on a mental retardation and Autism camp. Now my experience limited as it is was that these people were not very clever and not alive. The were pretty much going through life just to die. WOW was I wrong they are so clever, they have sense's of humour that can not be reviled and there zest for life is amazing. Some of them can only lift there arms and smile but yet they are so happy with their life. I could learn so much from these people. Nick Patel should me what true love was. He couldn't speak but he had a girlfriend who was in a wheelchair and whenever they saw each other they glowed. She shook in her chair and was a deeply moving experience. It was tough cause you got to wipe their bums, shower them, shave them, and other bodily fluids but was worth the experience.
Nick Patel and Megan

Then I went to New York. What an experience. Really enjoyed it. It expanded my view and i really thought this is what Johannesburg could be like. I had a great time i travelled with Julian and Marcel who were from Germany. Was able to see so many things like the World Trade Centre site (I had been up it before it fell). Saw Central Park and so many things.
When I was sixteen I had a dream of owning a Taylor Guitar. So I saved and saved and saved and whilst I was in New York my dream came true!!! Here it is.

Although Africa and South Africa has its problems I would rather be here fighting those problems then fighting America or any other countries problems. I Love South Africa and I am proud to be here.

Great Read

2007-07-23T04:16:00.000+02:00

O'Mandingo!: The Only Black at a Dinner Party

If I am to call my self an African and if I am to call myself a true African i need to understand what it means to be African. This book has shown me things about life that could never have dreamed has shown me God in a way that puts him into an African context.

It is controversial at times and Eric Miyeni really pushed me. He can be very political and very black conscious but that is the beauty of this book. It is not trying to be something its not. It is an honest portray of a mans thoughts and feelings.

If I could write this would be the style and the personality I would chose to have in a book. This is a truly South African book and well worth the read

So Much To Do So Little Time

2007-07-18T07:59:00.000+02:00

"To feel unbelievable and true joy is to see the people who you invest in, find their true selves in the moments of their lives." Me

Ok so hear is some photos of the kids who played in the concert that I organised. They were amazing.

Went to my first ever baseball game. Asheville Tourist VS some team

Miniature tanks on the Field

THE DANCE (We take the kids to a dance with the girls camp)

Went to Church

Independence Day

2007-07-05T03:48:00.000+02:00

“True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.”

Brigham Young

Yesterday Was Independence day. It was a time where all Americans celebrate their Independence from the British. I was reading a book from Sam Harris who is an atheist who is trying to convert to world to atheism. He takes huge stabs at the christian faith saying that we basically will fight a fight that we see as moral but there are bigger issues that need to be looked at. For example we will fight homosexual marriages but will say and do very little about genocide and HIV. There are many examples of this. But while sitting in the beauty of the fireworks I wondered how can we celebrate any Independence when there are people who are still oppressed. Its up to us to fight. God never put boarders on creation why do we. How can we call South Africa liberated when refugees feel unwanted.

Anyway Here are some pics I had a fantastic time

14o Double Cheese burgers. Eating challenge

Kayde Was SOOOOOOOOOO Funny

Look A white Squirrel

Life Is Amazing

2007-06-06T10:44:00.000+02:00

Let Me First introduce you to the worlds greatest cabin. Cabin 9!!!!!

From Front Left to Right

James, Ryan, Josh, Charlie, Richard
Back

Joseph And Me

So here is some more pics!! Everyday just gets better than the last. Was in hospital last night but I am out now if you need anymore info on email me and i will tell you but for now here are some more pics!!!

Skit Day

Lunch

Waterfront

The Group

Boys from the Cabin

The Funky Chicken (South African) Or i call him the black crazy frog

I Don't Dress this bad

Vita Pups (Slush Puppy)

Waterfront

The Quick Update

2007-06-01T05:07:00.000+02:00

Hey Guys And Girls

Here is some info just for you Pics and headings!!

River Rafting

Wake Boarding

Washing!!!!!

Moustache Comp

Waterfall

Bowling

Ice Cream Comp

AMERICA

2007-05-19T03:52:00.000+02:00

Good Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or should i say Good morning or should I say good evening as it is here in America. Its 22:00 here at camp.

Hope you are all well and not to stressed. Here is some news just for you!!!!

Well after travelling for a total of 38 hours i finally made to camp and lets just say it is nothing like i expected. In some ways its a little scary and in other ways well it is the most amazing place on earth. I am really enjoying the freedom the occasional dizzy spell from jet lag i wont lie is grating my nipple.

I went to Wendy's for those of you who don't know what Wendy's is let me just tell you its not the girl next door its a fast food joint. I don't wanna sound funny but there are enough fast food places here to make the cows in SA a little worried!!! OH MY GOSH!! The flag should just have a McDonald golden arches on it.

was honestly weird that i couldn't speak Zulu to the black people but that's life hey its cool though and the social structures are very diff to home but I love that!!! Anyway driving on the wrong side of the road is a little weird the guy who drove us from the airport i just thought he was going to drive into on coming traffic.

The kids haven't arrived yet they arrive in 18 days so went fly fishing today. Which i must just say that despite the name is very manly. I CAUGHT SO MUCH. I am a pro let me just tell you the fish literally went running!! cause i caught about 4 trees one guys hat the fishing rod behind me some grass, my own line and at one point i was fishing without a fly on the line so lets just say i hope i am a little better in the future.

anyway miss you guys and am a little sick. what can i say i am a mommies boy!!

love you guys

The Rooms

The Waterfront

The View

Flyfishing 101

To My Gran

2007-04-23T07:49:00.000+02:00

Today Was my Gran's funeral. My Gran passed away suddenly on Thursday morning. So its been really hard time for me and my family.

Today at the funeral I just really missed and really realized what a big impact my Grandparents had on me. I owe a huge part of my personality to them and the time they invested in my life. They opened up doors and gave me hope and love in my life. My Gran would always put up with me and laugh at my stupid jokes. My Granddad opened his workshop and his life i treasure the days that i worked in my Granddads workshop and he helped me to finish all my wood work projects on time.

I will post this week again but this Blog post is for Gert Taylor. I Love You Gran and I will always miss you. Sorry i didn't see you as much as i wanted but you are so special to me. Your Grandchild Buster :-)

The Light Side

2007-03-25T01:00:00.000+02:00

So recently i have been posting some really hectic stuff and I have been a little serious about life. I do feel however that life is to be savoured and enjoyed like a fine wine. So this post might be lighter. Many people don't know this but I'm actually quite funny, and one of my dreams one day is to do stand up comedy.

Anyway another week, another experience.

Anyway so I thought I would just post a cartoon this week.

Human Rights

2007-03-21T06:24:00.000+02:00

YOU CANNOT INSIST ON THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE, WITHOUT ALSO INSISTING ON THE DUTY TO CHOOSE WELL, THE DUTY TO CHOSE IS TRUTH (POPE JOHN PAUL II)

Today in South Africa is Human Rights Day. It is a day where we basically celebrate the Sharpville Massacre. It is a sad day in the history of our country but on the flip side it is a day that was probably the starting point of the struggle.

Anyway at gym today when I saw a women who was swimming. What struck me about this women was that she had no arms and one leg and yet she was in the pool swimming faster and further than I, an able bodied man could ever swim. She was swimming in auch a way that this women had an attitude about herself that said even if i had no limbs I would still be here in this pool. She was a fighter.

So on human rights day it got me to thinking what am I fighting for? What rights am allowing other humans to experience. My answer is ZERO!!! What am I doing???

When I worked in the church so many people used to come to me and say I don't know what God has called me to. Well I got to thinking about it and I think God is screaming at us and we are still.

Here are some stats in South Africa

20% of South Africans are HIV Positive
We have the biggest difference between Rich and Poor earning in the WORLD
15% of baby's are underweight
8/100 have the Internet

In Africa

Every 3 seconds a person dies from malnutrition
Zimbabwe 80% unemployment

I was told once that the problem with world is that they have nothing to fight for any more. They had Vietnam, Apartheid. It seems the only thing now days we are fighting for is wealth. So I am challenging myself and maybe you might be challenged to start the fight. Get up off our butts and lets do something. Lets offer human rights to all. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope hope and a future. We have made this scripture a very singular scripture. Its About "me" when in fact it was written as a community and if one part suffers the whole body suffers. So God is calling us into community, To be a hope and a future.

Here is the words from a song from Matt Redman. LETS START THE FIGHT

Now To Live The Life

Many are the words we speak
Many are the songs we sing
Many kinds of offerings
But now to live the life


Many are the words we speak
Many are the songs we sing
Many kinds of offerings
But now to live the life

Help us live the life
Help us live the life
All we want to do is bring you something real
Bring You something true

(We hope that) Precious are the words we speak
(We pray that) Precious are the songs we sing
Precious all these offerings
But now to live the life

Help us live the life
Help us live the life
All we want to do is bring you something real
Bring You something true

Help us live the life
Help us live the life
All we want to do is bring you something real
Bring You something true

Now to go the extra mile
Now to turn the other cheek
And to serve You with a life
Let us share your fellowship
Even of your sufferings
Never let the passion die...

Now to live the life...
Now to live the life
Now to live the life
Now to live the life

©1998 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Matt Redman

Are You A Racism Breeder??

2007-03-18T03:14:00.000+02:00

"The West Has Raped The World" Me

This is Julie and Gareth. Gareth is a mate of mine who is studying in America. He inspires me allot. At G's Farewell I met a really good friend of his from Cape Town. I have only met Jules once and we have embarked on a friendship which i regard as a really special and challenging one .

Anyway Jules has been recently questioning the norms of society, and i have had the privileged to listen to her story. It has been one of deep thinking and self discovery.

Last night back from spending some time with some mates at St. Patrick's celebration i spoke to Jules. It really made me think and here are my Thoughts

I was listening to 702 on the way home the other day and they were talking about racism within South African business and society. It came after to incidents within the South African Media. The first was a young black intern “blowing the whistle” on racism within Investic and the second was Thabo Mbeki's speech in Parliament saying that whites use crime to hide behind their Racism.

Both had very big repocutions. The allowed comments from callers to come in and it was sad to hear a western thought come in on all matters. I think of all callers maybe three were black and the rest were white people complaining. Not taking both incidents in the context in which they happened. I wanted to call in and say rather than being the complainant lets be the voice in the desert calling for truth and being the hands that provide those truths.

My feelings are that as a white society we are breeding a level are racism in our children. Not only does our language at home and in our cars defeat us but also our actions. You see as being part of a western world, we are used to taking over countries, cultures, people, lifestyles and life .So now it has become far easier for us to sit back and let others conform to us. We say yes we want an integrated community but where I stay I only know of one black family in my community and I very seldom see black people at our houses unless they are cleaning the gardens or the houses. We don't engage with the other communities. The only reason that we do is not out of any other reason than just to comply with government law. Black people leave their township homes to come to our “white”schools, our “white”malls our”white”sports grounds and our “white”workplaces. How many white children go to township schools. How many white people live or go to a party in a township area or shopping in a black mall or how many rugby games have there been at FNB stadium. It is rather let the others change than us.

I told my sister that we should go into townships but her first response was “Its dangerous”. Its not its just our lack of understanding. Black people have become our circus animals that we can work with in the ring but they go sleep in their cages and we stay in our caravans.

Now where is the church in this. I am afraid that the church has sold into Western thought. That saddens me. We have a very self centered church. When last have you heard a message where the church says that you shouldn't drive a Merc or a BMW but rather live simply. I have never heard this message and I am a seasoned church goer and worker. When last has the church engaged in worship that incorporates all cultures. The only time I have seen this was at the Methodist Synod and the white church moaned. I have experienced it myself where ministers tell there Youth Pastors that Youth Synod is a waste of time because they are 4 whites amongst 150 Blacks. The church needs to engage in an unselfish approach. They would do well to learn form the African Church. When last has a white lay person sat in black church service.

WHAT ARE WE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN IF ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN OUR WORDS???

But this is not an South African problem. The first statement of Purpose Driven Life ( A book written for the American Market) “Its not about you” The world has fallen into this trap and the example of the West's greed is Africa. The colonized, Raped the earth of her wealth, Put in place power hungry people, taught Africans the value of a “BUCK”and bugged off leaving Africa to defend for itself. The West has Raped Our World.

NEW DATE OF DEPATURE

2007-03-13T10:34:00.000+02:00

Hi Guys & Gals

Just to let you know I will probably be leaving on the 20th May now. So plans have changed, My farewell is going to be on the 12 May at 6:30.Bring and Braai and also bring your own drinks. Email me if you need directions!!!

The Hurts & The Steeple

2007-03-11T07:26:00.000+02:00

"The church is whore but she is my Mother" St. Augustine
I was sitting today at a Braai with some mates, andI got speaking to a really good friend of mine. She was just talking how much the church had hurt her and hurt her family. What is it about the church that causes this immense hurt. Why if we are called to love and be Gods light, why is it that there are people still in deep disappear and deep depression caused by the church? Some things that I noticed from our chat is that the church is seen to be God. Why is it that this is the case. Are we living in a society that is so short of authentic experiences of God that they equate the church to God or is it that the church has taken a monopoly on the experiences of God. That we can only experience God in his so called house. So the broken come to this place trying to find this experience and they then receive a shock to the system and find themselves even more broken. I don't know the answers but I would like to maybe see it differently. The church is not Gods only house. When the cloth tore in the temple it didn't only allow people to come in, it also allowed God to come out.
So therefore there are no God forsaken people, places or events there are only church forsaken people, places, events.I was thinking the other day how when we pray to God through song how often we sing I & MY in our songs and very little about community. Yet the Our Father has no I's, Me's. or My's. How often do we sing God in He and how often do we sing God as female. I personal have found comfort in seeing my picture of God as a black women.
But on the other side is that the church gives us life if we allow it to. It is God's bride and it is Gods hope for humanity. It feeds some of the poor, cares for the hurt, and nourishes the rich.
So I am caught in this dilemma, of whether the church is living out its grace. How do we become a church of grace? Whats are we doing to make sure that the hurts that we experience in the church are not inflicted on others.

So Change.

2007-03-10T09:30:00.000+02:00

The definition of time: Change (Carel Venter)

Don’t you love new beginnings? The death of old but the birth of new. We carry around a pregnant whom of life waiting to bear its offspring of new life. What a gift. The past is part of our lives but it is also a part of our death. The gift of new life is such a hope that tomorrow, we will be better off than today. I went to Northfield Methodist Church the other night to a Young Adults Group that meets once a month. It was really awesome and I felt God really move within me. She moved in ways that brought up so much of my present past and things that made me feel dirty and in need of a spring-clean. I felt the feminine of God really hold me and offer me grace. More like a mother who cares for the wounded child even though she knows that the child has done wrong. I prefer a feminine God. So then Carel (The Youth Pastor) spoke about God within time and really was struck at Gods ability to be in the three phases of time Past, present Future and the also not be in time. Made me really awe full to think God is just in so big he is time with time. Carel really made me think. Also Carel (Sounds like a really deep guy) also made me see that the church is doing good and has shifted my paradigm of the church once more.

Other than that my brother and his fiancé got married on Saturday day. So a little bit of a party was in order. I cant wait for him to move out I want his room.  I am really excited for them and I hope and pray that they have a marriage that will bring both themselves and the community that they engage with closer and alive.

Then last but not least if you could pray for me as a community as I start a new beginning. It looks like I am going to be resigning from my job and going to work in America for CCUSA on a Summer Camp for 4 months. It is my first of many steps back into the church and it is a little on the scary side but I really am feeling the calling to the church consuming me. I am not sure what I’ll be doing when I get back but I would like to find a church and start ministering again. Then in 2008 I want to go to the University Of Pretoria to study theology. So big plans but its exciting plans.

So talking about change and how life is moving. On Thursday (after being rear ended) I went to a meeting for CCUSA, cause I have really felt God moving me to a new places and I am official going to summer camp!!!! BIG CHANGE!!!! Four months of new time experiences and Four months of self Discovery.
So here are the plans Batmans.
Leave 29 April 2007

Arrive in New York on the 30th.
Go for orientation at Columbia University (I Think)
1st Arrive at Camp Carolina
Fix Up Camp
Get some campers.
See how it goes
Maybe slip in a visit to see Gareth

Anyway guysIi am having a farewell braai (The Taylor Family Braais are legendary) if all goes according plan on the 20 April 2007. Starts at 6 all invited. Bring own food, drinks and DOLLARS :)Love to hear from you all. taylorjus@gmail.com
Gareth Remember when we went on Youth Pastors Bash and I jumped off that waterfall and it wasn't even high?Like maybe four meters?? Remember it took me an hour? How long you think this is gonna take me??

Sorry Seems To Be The Easiest Word

2007-02-22T08:38:00.000+02:00

Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title.
Virginia Woolf
Well maybe its OK to just be mad. To own the feeling, to play with it to struggle with it, to hold it. But what makes us respond the way we do? What makes us mad, What pulls us down. What lifts us up. What puts us on the "High". I wonder how much truth there is in regaining our past. For some of us the past can be a scary place, that we wish to not revisited because it cuts us to our weakest and most vulnerable state. I know for me it seems to just rattle my insides and brings back hurt and pain. That doesn't mean that forgiveness and healing has not happened to the contrary it means in my life that, the past is more real to me and effects my actions and my understandings of life.
You see whether we like it or not the past will always be part of our present.

I have been struggling with my Dad lately (My Mom & Dads relationship was a big hurt in my Past) and was trying to explain to him that the reason that I react in a certain way or the reason i seem not to respond to him in the way he wants. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. You see my Dad seems to think that because he said sorry it erases the past. Of course it erases a movement of hurt and underlying grudge but it doesn't seem to take away the effect the past has had on me. I am scared to engage with my Dad in fear of being hurt or neglected or not being worthy enough. Unfortunately my past experiences dictated my future dealings with him.
But I do feel this is not a thing that is just between me and my dad. I feel it is allot bigger than I in my experiences of the past. Look at Apartheid we are sorry and there has been a reconciliation but that doesn't mean that there is still not a repocution (Sorry Spelling) of those actions. Then look at the conflict in the Middle East. I red a great blog from my friend Julie Martin and her story also links with the past and how today we are feeling and dealing with it in a apologising South Africa.Maybe the time has come for us to stop running from our past and own it. Some people are scared of that and that's OK but we have to understand the future. Be careful how we respond. Look at peoples responses. Sorry is the easiest world but it needs to be proceeded by understanding to make it a true word. This doest mean we hold onto the past and do not let it go cause to live only in the past is to live out of balance. That's why life comes in 3 forms. Past, Present and Future. Our past is a way to understand or present and make a positive step to our future. I don't know if i am speaking twak but it feels real to me.Gareth I just wanted to say thank you for introducing me to the great forms of expression and depth found in the art of William Kentridge.I don't know if you remember most of these images come from the exhibition we went at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. You taught me art, I showed you the World of Beer. How bizarre

"Not All Who Wander Are Lost"

2007-02-08T10:05:00.000+02:00

Do we every know what is truth or are we told this is truth and we follow. Are we allowed to question the norms of society or are we told to fit in to the mold. Do we perceive Jesus to be what the church has told us or do we engage and find our own answers to life.

Scary to think life is here. It is not something that will happen. It is something for the now. Why is it we are told to live life in a certain way. Why is that like sheep we follow this call to life. It scares me. I AM SCARED TO LIVE. Not scared in the sense of walking in the street. I am scared to walk on new ground. To walk the road less traveled. To take the step that says I will live life as if I own it. It scares me not to know what is behind door number 3. Scared of failure Scared of pain.

Maybe though being scared can lead me trust and hope. Maybe being scared means that i am already on the journey. Maybe being scared helps me to be human and identify with humanity.

Maybe the truth is that the reason we follow is becuase we are so scared to be alone

I found this poem and I really love it.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I had my life to live over I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax.I would limber up.I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances.I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I am one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments.

One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.
I've been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.

If I had it to do over again, I would travel lighter next time.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Attributed to: Nadine Stair, age 85

Christmas Without Christ

2006-12-22T01:41:00.000+02:00

Is Jesus really selfish?? I am very privileged to work in a company of varying faiths. The main two faiths I have picked up on within our company is Hindu and Christianity. This is put into a very big melting pot of pressure and can create a beautiful mix at times. We get to share each others holidays and I really think its amazing. I have learnt so much from the people here who are not christian and they seem to reflect more of Christ than the Christians I know. Weird hey??

Anyway as we know Christmas is coming up. And the regular rush of shopping is happening and the regular "Christmas has lost Jesus" or the other one, "Christmas is so commercialised". Well I have only one response to that. BULLSHIT!!! I think if any thing the commercial side has done something that the church is struggling to do bring people in to the church and also getting people to celebrate Jesus's birth. I think Jesus would rather all people whether Muslim Hindu or Christian celebrate his life. Cause that is what Christmas is.

Does Jesus become selfish with his birth?? I don't think so isn't amazing the first people to see Jesus were not even christian in fact followed stars. Could you imagine the same attitude of our Christian society waiting at the stable door saying, "Excuse me Sir's do you have your baptism certificate, your belief statement, your bible and your encounter with the spirit"?? The travelers response would probably "No I followed a star, all I want to do is see the baby" and our response would have been " Sorry you do not qualify to celebrate in our Jesus's birth". Why are we making Jesus selfish.

So whether you Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Or Whatever enjoy Christmas. And enjoyed time spent with the people we love and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Cricket Lovely Cricket

2006-12-17T08:28:00.000+02:00

Anyway so today we went to cricket (Sunday 17th December 2006). It was Jaron ( My brothers friend who i have really started to enjoy spending time with) , Amber (My brothers fiance sister who is up from Cape Town) , Jenny (Denver's Fiance & Amber's sister) And Denver (Jenny's Fiance and my brother).

Was really cool except India are doing well. anyway here are some pics from the day.The whole day got me thinking. Isn't amazing how something so simple in life, can give a person life. What is it about these things that rejuvenate the body and soul. But what is it about us that the same things that destroy us can be masked in the same cloak of life. Why is it that we do things that we feel are good for us but in fact are extremely bad.

Although my thouht process has led me to believe that, when our actions involve the upliftment of others in a positive way, we find life in ourselves. That's why people feel hope amongst friends, rejuvenation in solitude because they can embrace people with a new love and hope. This is the challenge for me is to start weeding out the masks that are not showing their true face.

Life As It Is Now

2006-12-15T08:47:00.000+02:00

So it's now the weekend and I am just about to go and just relax after a hard week at work. But I thought i should just fill you in on a couple of things. Well I love Ultimate Frisbee and I was playing quite a bit until i felt sharp pains in my legs. Well needless to say I had serious shin splints and ultimate had just seemed to just bring it to the fore. Anyway I have been going for the last couple of months to get dry needling done. Let me just warn you the following clips are not for sensitive viewers

I get this done twice a week. Yum Yum and the best part is that I got another 2 months to go.

Anyway I am writing a book at the moment and this is my introduction. Basically this book focus on God's ability to be wrong and say sorry.

Here is the intro.

For years Jesus has been a mystery. People have been struggling to come to terms with how God could manifest himself in Jesus. The search to try understand Jesus has led creation on some wonderful, some controversial, some that brought God closer to us and some we feel has set out to disprove Jesus. However the question still remains. Who is Jesus?

For me this journey started in a very fundamental light. That God was God and that was the be all and scripture was Gods word and thou shall not question scripture. I have been fortunate that I have been able to learn from great theological minds and slowly I learnt that the brain is a beautiful tool from God. A tool where we could explore scripture and put it to the test. I love the story where there is a meeting about the legitimacy of Jesus’ message and whether or not people should act to try stamp it out before anything happens and a very wise man stands up and says if it is truth it will stand the test of time and if it is false it will wither. The same with scripture it needs to be bought to the light to be questioned and opened up. This is true faith like a child.

Anyway the journey I have been on has shown me many things about myself. I am a very emotional person. My view I feel are a collection of deep thought and deep emotion. I write what I feel not to be right but to open with my thoughts and have them criticised. My greatest difference from you is my greatest gift to you and your greatest gift to me is your difference. You might not agree with anything in this book but keep and open mind and just listen to what it has to say. I am in no way claiming to be God’s voice I think he could just use what I say to minister to you. I think that a lot of this book boils down to how you view God. How you interact and how you live within Gods presence.

I have been wondering whether or not God could be wrong. Not wrong in the sense well he is not God but rather in the sense that God could be wrong in some of his thoughts. I think that this doesn’t make God less God but brings us into a greater relationship with God. I feel we are not controlled by some dictator who zaps us at the first sign of human failure but rather a God, who understands, cares, listens, and values our opinions and then together with us makes a decision that affects us. We as humans though do have the power in ourselves to become a dictator and leave God out of this decision making process. We are not just a creation but we are part of the creator in the creator’s creation. This book hopes to show that.

Jesus is Gods way of trying to understand humanity and by doing that God had to make a mistakes because God never new what it was like to be a human he only had theory knowledge. For example a parent can make a child but doesn’t mean that they know how it feels to be them. This base of all thinking within these pages is that to be wrong is not to sin infact to be wrong is to embrace our humanity. We as humanity breed mixed personalities. We breed them by what we say and how they stand brought to the light of what our interpretation of scripture is. How often have you heard that we learn from our mistake? Infact we are told to embrace and learn from them. How come it is that we tell our children that they got to be perfect because Jesus didn’t make a mistake? That goes against our logic chain of thought and what we are taught. Mistakes equal learning how could Jesus therefore learn what it was like to be human. What if Jesus was wrong? What happened if he did make mistakes? Doesn’t make him less perfect but it does make him more human.

I hope this book bring the sorry that the world is desperately in need of and brings the healing that God gives because he understands through his mistakes.

Please tell me what you think.

More Photos

2006-12-14T20:06:00.000+02:00

Let me just say incase you don't know i hate hate hate photos, maybe its a self image thing but i hate being captures in time and the majority of time its when i am at my worst. Anyway here is more.

This is my sister at her Matric Farewell

and this is my Marsha and Farsha at there wedding

In The Begining Was The Tree

2006-12-14T19:18:00.000+02:00

My Moms family is busy putting together a family book. Which is pretty cool to know that i come from somewhere and i didn't just happen. (Cause that's what our parents make us believe). You can call her Sally but i being Family say Auntie Sally. I am posting the photos on here so she can get them.

Enjoy it ok.

Picture 1 is my Ma and my Aunt Val
Picture 2 is me Marsha me Farsha and me Shishta
Picture 3 is my Gran (Fanny Pearl Giles) and Grandpa (Who died before i got to meet him). Ladies please nit i carry these genes and you can see i am a well bred steed.

Now just for you who aren't part of this great family here is game you can play. It's called spot me or for those of you who know me so well you wish you were me it's called spot the idiot. The first one who can spot me gets a whole lot of ???.

So It Starts

2006-12-14T19:09:00.000+02:00

In the beginning there was the word, and the word was with the Blog and the word was the Blog. She was the Blog in the beginning.

So here i am the Blog Virgin. Can you handle 23 and still and Blog Virgin but alas i have now broken and am free to experience the world through my little blog. Well this blog will be more like a journey of life and a journey to the future as i share in part of being a citizen in the world. You might not like what I have to share but I hope we can grow together. So I hope this OK for a first write in this amazing and very humble Blog.