The Jesus Way 101

Jesus way in one week

2009-11-07T14:39:00.002+02:00

Did take me back to how attached I am to my bike. Still much easer to give the pasta.

1) Well the bike is taken away, and I do have a broken shoulder with some bruises and stitches.

2) Need to go to x-rays after the operation, while waiting I start drumming away on my B-Vac (gadget for closed wound draining), can make nice sounds

3) I can not take the flowers home so ask the lady in bed next to me to take them for her. It is the first flowers (ruiker) that she ever received in her live.

4) Remember our community meals – this hospital must give their chef an increase.

5) elke 2de aand het die mense van die eendame se kerk kom sing en diens gehou, was zulu maar was cool, ek het Je Su verstaan

Closed doors vs open doors.

1) I may not be able ride a bike fore a year

BUT

2) I can go and visit bikers in hospital, and help assist them with the bare necessities (soap, lappie, deodorant ….)

Inspiration

1) the people from the Pietermaritzburg Motorbike association – die een se bene gaan altwee net tot by sy knee Dan ry hy nog.

2) tannie Sini – sy doen wat ons tannie Susi doen [check die name]

New adventure starts !!!

Romans 8:38-39

2009-10-22T21:54:00.002+02:00

For I am convinced that

neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- God is a God who knows no limits.
- Nothing in the entire world can separate us from His love.
- We work within limitations but God does not work with limitations.

Hoe geseend is ons nie, om so 'n wonderlike GOD in ons lewens te he.

Dit is lekker/fantasties/wonderlik/bevange om vir so 'n GOD te leef.

Excellence and perfection

2009-10-22T14:05:00.000+02:00

I’m careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.
Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.
~ Michael J. Fox

Cherokee Legend

2009-10-20T14:47:00.000+02:00

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's Rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own..

The boy is naturally terrified.

He can hear all kinds of noises

Wild beasts must surely be all around him..

Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.

It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone..

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

Moral of the story:

Just because you can't see God,

doesn't mean He is not there.

'For we walk by faith, not by sight.'

3 Quotes

2009-10-07T12:15:00.006+02:00

"The Essence of a new Day

This is the beginning of a new day.
You have been given this day, to use at your will.
What you do today is important, because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever....
In its place something that you have left behind.
Let it be something good."

"The Essence of Discovery

Live your life each day, as you would climb a mountain.
An occasional glance towards the summit, keeps the goal in mind.
But many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.
Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment.
And the view from the summit will prove to be astonishing."

"The Essence of leadership

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
In the end leaders are much like eagles: they don't flock. You find them one at a time."

Be ready for what He has prepared for you

2009-10-07T08:50:00.002+02:00

My dag stukkie wat ek ontvang het. [Ek dink dit is hoekom ons elkeen 'n unike verhouding met GOD het, want Hy het 'n unike job vir elkeen van ons.]

Philippians 2:13

For it is God Who is all the while at work in you, creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work for His good pleasure and delight.

- God is at work within you.
- He is interested in every detail of our lives.
- He uses what we may go through to bring us closer to Himself.
- God works in us so that we will be ready for what He has prepared for us.

3 Paddas

2009-10-06T12:12:00.002+02:00

Het eenmaal iemand hoor sê:

3 paddas sit op 'n klip en 2 besluit om te gaan swem.
Hoeveel paddas bly oor op die klip?
Steeds 3!
Hulle nog net besluit om te gaan swem, hulle het dit nog nie gedoen nie!

Hoop ons is almal swemmers wie se besluite in dade oorgaan.

Puppy Size

2009-10-01T08:10:00.002+02:00

Ons het gisteraand, sommer hier in die middel van die week, 'n aandjie gehad wat eintlik bedoel was vir 'n vergadering, maar wat baie gou in 'n aand van community en lekker kuier verander het. Vandat ons Jesus Way 101 begin het is dit die een ding wat tot dusver nog die meeste by my vas gesteek het... community. Die volgende storie kom uit 'n email wat ek dink baie van ons al gekry het; ek het dit verseker al 'n paar keer gekry, maar elke keer as ek dit lees word die belangrikheid van verhoudings weer opnuut by my wakker gemaak:

'Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,' the mother told the volunteer. 'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked. 'Puppy size!' replied the mother. 'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.' 'I know..... we have seen most of them, ' the mom said in frustration...

Just then Danielle came walking into the office. 'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom. 'No, not this time,' Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on the weekend?' The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. 'You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply,' the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. 'Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend,' she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. 'It's this weekend or we're not looking any more,' Dad finally said in frustration. 'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,' Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning .. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, 'Sorry, but you're not the one.'

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. 'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!' She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!' 'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,' Mom said. 'No not size... The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,' she said.

'Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!'

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both. 'Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,' she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, 'Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!'

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. 'Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

I hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!

What the Pencil Maker told the Pencil

2009-09-16T12:41:00.002+02:00

Everything you do will always leave a mark.
You can always correct the mistakes you make.
What is important is what is inside of you.
In life, you will undergo painful sharpening, which will make you a better person.
To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

Soek God met jou hele hart

2009-09-10T09:16:00.001+02:00

Ps. 105:4 Soek hulp en beskerming by die Here, soek gedurig sy teenwoordigheid.

Soek God met jou hele hart as jy vandag 'n belofte het. Die Bybel se dat ons moet strewe na die dinge daarbo waar Christus is (Kol 3:1). As jy met jou hele hart streef na die vrug vd Gees , sal God in jou lewe werk sodat jy die oorvloedige lewe, waarvoor Jesus vir jou gesterf het, kan geniet!!

God belowe: 'As jy luister na die Here jou God se gebooie wat ek vandag vir jou gee, as jy hulle gehoorsaam en daarvolgens lewe en nie afwyk van alles wat ek jou vandag beveel nie, sal die Here jou God jou die kop maak , nie die stert nie, en jy sal altyd bo wees, en nie onder nie.. Deut 28:13-14.

Die sout van die aarde

2009-09-07T21:56:00.003+02:00

Dit is baie hartseer wanneer mens die einde van mens se lewe nader en besef dat niemand mens wil he nie. Of dat die mense wat ons gedink naaste aan ons is, ons vergeet.

Agape liefde is onvoorwaardelike liefde: 'n belofde om onvoorwaardelik lief te he.

Nou het ek gewonder of Agape liefde nie tussen familie lede behoort te bestaan nie?
Vergewe die moordenaar se moeder hom nie? Of vergewe die kind nie sy ouer se lee belofte nie?

Tog sit daar oumas en oupas in ouetehuise, vergete.....

Is daar 'n kwalitiet / fout wat iemand kan besit sodat daar niemand op aarde is wat wil se: jy behoort aan my nie?

Doen aan 'n ander wat jy graag aan jouself gedoen wil he! Terwyl jy jou ouma / oupa neem om 'n kamer in die ouetehuis te gaan bekyk, moet jy sommer kyk of daar 'n kamer is vir jou, eendag.

Ons word almal oud. Tyd haal almal in. Daar is 2 dinge, nee 3 dinge wat ek al ervaar het niemand van mens sal wegneem of steel nie: Armoede, siekte en oud word. Moenie in die jeug van jou lewe die kennis en lewenservaring van 'n ouma / oupa prysgee vir iets anders nie. Jy weet nooit wanneer daardie persoon, geliefde, nie meer daar sal wees nie. En die vrae wat jy later sou vra, onbeantwoord sal bly: 'n enkele eggo sonder weerklank wat in niks in verdwyn.

Sout verslaan.

Jesus het gese: laat die kindertjies na my toe kom, die hemel is juis vir mense soos hulle. Ek dink dit tel vir oumas en oupas ook. God sal jou onvoorwaardelik lief he. Jy kan maar net jouself wees, God sal jou familie wees, altyd.

Wanneer ons op ons oudag deur ou herinneringe blaai, en onthou dat ons oumas / oupas ook oud was, hoop ek ons onthou dat ons kon kies om hulle lief te he. 'n Keuse wat eensydig kan wees, maar minder sal gee as terug ontvang.

Mens kies om lief te he. Is die mens se hart nie sag genoeg om oor die klein dingetjies te kyk en te sien dat iemand net vra om aan iemand te behoort nie? Nie sag genoeg om oor die klein dingetjies te kyk en te sien dat die geliefde net liefde vra nie?

Sonder sout is die lewe slegs sand. Ek dink wanneer jy oud word en besef dat jy net aan God behoort en elke dag vra dat Hy jou moet kom haal, jy sal terugdink aan toe jy jonk was en aan die wereld behoort het.

Sayings

2009-09-03T09:25:00.002+02:00

God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.

The Will of God
never takes you to
where the Grace of God
will not protect you.

The best mathematical equation
I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Just a thought...

2009-09-01T09:44:00.004+02:00

Frank Sinatra once said a very true thing, applying to last night's discussion.

A woman cam to Frank (after his show) and told him that her husband is his biggest fan, but he was very sick, and couldn't attend the show. Could he give her a photo with his signature?

He the proceeded to take off his gold and diamond cufflinks and gave it to her with a photo.

A friend asked him why he gave away the very expensive cufflinks to someone that didn't even attend the show. And he answered:

"If you own something nice, and you are unable to give it away, then you don't own IT, IT owns you."

Just something to think about...

Matthew 5:3-11 (The Message)

2009-08-31T18:13:00.001+02:00

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One dearest to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Grace incarnated

2009-08-27T10:35:00.003+02:00

Last night grace became "flesh", taking on the form of doughnuts and coffee. Afterwards one officer told me: "Thank you my friend, keep on doing what you are doing. It's good to know their is still good people out there."

It's been a long time since a stranger told me I am good. Funny, how when you give out grace, even if its only a cup of coffee, grace are given back to you.

Last night was good for my soul.

Drumming and Coffee

2009-08-27T08:55:00.008+02:00

WOW! The drumming was absolutely awesome! Powerful stuff!

Must admit that I was a little hesitant for our "Drumming and Coffee" evening as it took me out of my comfort zone. So often one wants to contribute to the community, or to those less fortunate, but more often than not we take the easy route.... donations, charity golf days, movie clubs etc. Not so often do we roll up our sleeves and put in the elbow grease. This might not have been a major charity drive, but rather a little gesture that made these men and women's evening. Thank you for this opportunity!

Our Group had the pleasure of surprising the Linden police station with fresh coffee and doughnuts..... and boy were they surprised! I am sure it was the highlight of the month! While we were unpacking and setting up they all stood around in disbelief and were probably wondering what on earth we were doing and why. Once the formalities were out of the way they all dived in and thouroughly enjoyed the treat. Of course the seargent had to have the first doughnut and was even kind enough to say grace. I was quite surprised when he asked whether we had prayed for the food!

It was a really enjoyable evening! Thanks again!

Here are some photo's from our outing to Linden (sorry, photo's were taken with my cellphone, so they aren't great quality) :

Have a wonderful week and look forward to seeing you all next week!

Drumming and Coffee

2009-08-25T21:20:00.002+02:00

On Wednesday night The Jesus Way 101 group of friends are going to learn about the unforced rhythms of grace by doing two things. Grace has rhythm and we are going to xplore it by drumming together on bongos and jembes, (some might even call it worship!) Afterwards we are going to visit a few police stations in the area with good coffee and doughnuts, some might even call it and experiment in grace.

Every sinner has a FUTURE

2009-08-21T11:31:00.001+02:00

Poem received this morning

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbour
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why's everyone so quiet,
So sombre - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT.

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in your garage makes you a car .

Every saint has a PAST....
Every sinner has a FUTURE

'n Maalende bulb moment

2009-08-17T23:20:00.002+02:00

Vandat ons begin het, het Mat 11:29 gereeld in my kop gemaal. Ek lees dit die kant toe, dan lees ek die vers daardie kant toe.

Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I am able to watch Jesus when I learn more, of His unforced rhythms of grace, from the Bible. When I try hard to add the new found wisdom to my live is the not a way of walking with Jesus and working with Jesus?

Terwyl ons deur die tekse/tekste gelees het, het die volgende woorde/phrases vir my uitgestaan.

Recover your live
With me
Watch how
Do it
Unforced rhythms of grace
Keep company
Learn to live

A bulb moment resulted in the following:-

Keep company with Jesus, watch how to and recover your live; learn to live with the unforced rhythms of grace. Do I want to do it?

Ek het in 2006 die volgende gesegde (as mens dit ‘n gesegde kan noem) gehoor – ‘Walk the talk’, dit is nou om mense wat Jesus uit leef en nie net praat nie te beskryf. Ek will dit verder uitbry deur te se ‘walk the talk AND talk the walk’

Maak dit deel van ons lewens weg.

Cheers for eers J <><

Yoke results form our search efforts No 2

2009-08-17T23:06:00.002+02:00

This is link to web-site with good explanation. Click here

If it does not work copy link below and past into the address bar.

http://www.christianchronicle.org/article172~Meditation:_To_understand_'Take_my_yoke_upon_you_and_learn_from_me'

Yoke results form our search efforts No 1

2009-08-17T23:00:00.000+02:00

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

1) Take my yoke - This is a figure taken from the use of oxen, and hence signifying to labor for one, or in the service of anyone. The “yoke” is used in the Bible as an emblem:

(1) of bondage or slavery, Lev_26:13; Deu_28:38.

(2) of afflictions or crosses, Lam_3:27. Klaagliedere 3:27

(3) of the punishment of sin, Lam_1:14, Klaagliedere 1:14

(4) of the commandments of God.

(5) of legal ceremonies, Act_15:10; Gal_5:1.

2) It refers here to the religion of the Redeemer; and the idea is, that they should embrace his system of religion and obey him. All virtue and all religion imply “restraint” - the restraint of our bad passions and inclinations - and subjection to laws; and the Saviour here means to say that the restraints and laws of his religion are mild, and gentle, and easy.

3) Let anyone compare them with the burdensome and expensive ceremonies of the Jews (see Act_15:10), or with the religious rites of the pagan everywhere, or with the requirements of the Popish system, and he will see how true it is that Jesus’ yoke is easy. And let his laws and requirements be compared with the laws which sin imposes on its votaries - the laws of fashion, and honor, and sensuality - and he will feel that religion is “freedom,” Joh_8:36. “He is a freeman whom the truth makes free, and all are slaves besides.” It is “easier” to be a Christian than a sinner; and of all the yokes ever imposed on people, that of the Redeemer is the lightest.

Questions during session/Vrae tydens sessie

2009-08-17T22:59:00.000+02:00

Hoop ek het als getik

neem juk op

wat is die juk
juk hoekom sag & lig
Juk wat Jesus gedrae het
Juk wat ons drae (my eie)
Juk wat ek kry

waar kry ons die rus
slegs vir bemoeides & oorlaaide mense (van watter mense praat Jesus)

whom was part of Jesus crowd

wat is koppeling met Joodse kultuur & tradiesies
wat het die mense in Jesus se tyd moeg en oorlaai laat voel

kan dit met vandag in kontekts gebring word
wat veroorsaak dat jy moeg & oorlaai is
dinge voor teks, wat het aanleiding gegee tot die teks

moet ek eers vir myself of sorg vir ander mense ook

moet ek sorg dat ekself in die hemel kom
moet ek opofferings maak en so ‘n bydrae maak om ander ook van Jesus te vertel

burned out on religion?

Nie in die afr weergawe
Daar is ‘n veskill tussen geloof (religion) & godsdiens (faith)
skrywer het ook storie/ervaring van ‘burned out on religion’

keep company with me – wie is die ‘me’

met Jesus OF sy mense (ander Christene/ongelowiges)

wont lay anything heavy or ill-fitting

wat is die ill-fitting

rus vir gemoed (in OAV) kan dit gekoppel word met unforced rhythms of grace (in Msg)
unforced rhythms of grace

wat beteken genade
wat omvat die genade

Can You Sleep While The Wind Blows

2009-08-17T14:59:00.003+02:00

Someone sent me this email quite a while ago, but I have never forgotten it. I eventually pinned it on my notice board by my desk for inspiration.

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands.
Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic.
They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.
'Are you a good farm hand?' the farmer asked him.
'Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,' answered the little man.Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.
The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.
Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters.
He shook the little man and yelled, 'Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!'
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, 'No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.'Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot.
Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.
To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins.
The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred.
The shutters were tightly secured.. Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away.
The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant,
so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear.
Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don't need to understand, we just need to hold his hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

Never Give Up

2009-08-14T10:46:00.000+02:00

One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm, and the young lady asked her father, What should I do?"

He said "keep driving". Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse.

"What should I do." The young lady asked?
"Keep driving," her father replied.

On up a few feet, she noticed that eighteen wheelers were also pulling over. She told her dad, "I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible, and everyone is pulling over!"

Her father told her, "Don't give up, just keep driving!"

Now the storm was terrible, but she never stopped driving, and soon she could see a little more clearly. After a couple of miles she was again on dry land, and the sun came out.

Her father said, "Now you can pull over and get out."

She said "But why now?"

He said "When you get out, look back at all the people that gave up and are still in the storm, because you never gave up your storm is now over.

This is a testimony for anyone who is going through "hard times".

Just because everyone else, even the strongest, gives up. You don't have to...if you keep going, soon your storm will be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!"

Loosing my religion

2009-08-13T21:02:00.003+02:00

I wrote the following more than three months ago on my Doubtful Diaries blog. Since then I stumbled upon the Matthew 11 text. I think Jesus was talking to people like me.

Here is what I wrote:

"Outside the thunder is rolling, the winds are picking up speed and the clouds have turned everything gray. On days like this in ancient times, people believed that the gods are angry.
Today we know better. Today we know that this is part of nature, no one is angry. It is just life going through growing pains.

But still we pray as if God is angry. Our prayers are filled with words of penitence, “I am so sorry” “Have mercy” “Please God forgive my sins”. Day in and day out, we plead and moan and cry. We go to church, synagogue, temple and mosque. We tithe and fast, confess and commit. We hope that we are wrong and fear that we are right, because somewhere deep in our souls the wounds of ancient superstitions are still sore, still oozing with toxic religiosity.

Somewhere in my struggle to submit to the demands of my religion I have lost Life. That’s what religion does, it sucks life out you. Instead of standing in awe of the thunder and the lightning, we run into our temples and pray to the gods for mercy.

The words from R.E.M’s “Losing my Religion” have been in my head the whole day. I got to let go of the fear. I got to let go of the superstition. To much guilt, I need a breath of Fresh Air.

It’s time to open the shutters.

It’s time to show religion the door.

It’s time to let Life in."

I wish I could have been there the day Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 11...

The Mayonnaise Jar

2009-08-13T07:34:00.002+02:00

When things in your life seem, Almost too much to handle, When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class And had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar And proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, If the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls. He then asked The students again If the jar was full.. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively Filling the Empty space between the sand.

The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that This jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, Friends, and Favourite passions Things that if everything else was lost And only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else -- The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for The pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time And energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for The things that are Important to you. So... Pay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness. Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time To clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand And inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for A couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Synchronicity

2009-08-11T09:16:00.004+02:00

Funny how different stories tend to align. In psycology this is called synchronicity. While we are busy with the Matthew 11 text, a friend on a different journey sent me the following written by a pastor he knows well:

Die Islamitiese groep al Shabaab in die suide van Somalië is tans besig om met geweld die silwer en goue stopsels in die tande van mense uit te haal. Hulle gebruik sommer die mees basiese gereedskap om dit te doen. Die Islamitiese groep sê dat silwer en goud vir mode en skoonheid is, en dit is teen die streng wette van Islam. Hulle “ontvoer” die mense teen hulle wil, en haal dan die silwer en goue stopsels uit hulle tande.

Mense is soms baie wreed in die beoefening van hulle godsdiens. Dit gebeur in alle godsdienste – ook in die Christendom. Dit is veral sleg as mense allerhande reëls afdwing op ander mense. Die Skrifgeleerdes in die tyd van Jesus was ook lief om dit te doen. Toe antwoord Jesus: “Julle wetgeleerdes! Ellende wag vir julle ook, want julle laai ondraaglike laste op die mense, en self verroer julle geen vinger om die laste te dra nie (Luk 11:46).

Christeneplaas vandag steeds allerhande laste op mense, dit wil sê hulle meet ander mense voortdurend aan die hand van godsdienstige reëls, terwyl hulle dit dikwels self nie nakom nie. Ek onthou baie goed hoe ’n dominee ’n klompie jare gelede sy misnoë uitgespreek het omdat my vriend sy kar op ’n Sondag gewas het. Maar dieselfde dominee is later in ’n buite-egtelike verhouding betrap!! En ek sal nog baie sulke voorbeelde kan gee.

Jesus het egter ’n ander boodskap gehad vir die mense wat so swaar gebuk gegaan het onder reëls. Hy het gesê: “Kom na My toe, almal wat uitgeput en oorlaai is, en Ek sal julle rus gee. Neem my juk op julle en leer van My, want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle sal rus kry vir julle gemoed. My juk is sag en my las is lig.” (Mt. 11:28-30)

Rest stop

2009-08-10T22:13:00.000+02:00

Michael Yaconelli: "Spiritual growth is not running faster, as in more meetings, more Bible studies, and more prayer meetings. Spiritual growth happens when we slow our activity down. If we want to meet Jesus, we can't do it on the run. If we want to stay on the road of faith, we have to hit the brakes, pull over to a rest area, and stop. Christianity is not about inviting Jesus to speed through life with us; it's about noticing Jesus sitting at the rest stop. While the church earnestly warns Christians to watch for the devil, the devil is sitting in the congregation encouraging everyone to keep busy doing "good things.""

Matthew 11:28-30

2009-08-10T09:14:00.001+02:00

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. -Matthew 11:28-30

The start

2009-07-17T08:55:00.002+02:00

This blog is a 12 week journey of round about 30 friends around six Jesus stories. Every two weeks a new story will be discussed. Every other Monday evening talking will change to doing. The hope is that during these 12 weeks we will move from religious to relational, from faith formulas to faithful friendships, from rules to habits and from being Cultural Christians to Followers of the Way. We invite anyone who stumbles upon this blog to join the discussion. Happy reading.