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A COLLECTIVE CALL TO THE GLOBAL CHURCH – from Middle East Evangelical Leaders
We, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi evangelical leaders representing various churches and Christian ministries, warmly invite our brothers

10 LESSONS FROM SYRIA:  when faith is under fire
Observing the church in Syria during one of our recent visits brought a new conviction of how a Church should
THE ROSE OF SYRIA: A time to strengthen the local Church
"If Syria is a garden of flowers, then the church is the rose. The fragrance of which is reaching even
NO, SYRIA HAS NOT BEEN LIBERATED: a time for courage
No, Syria has not been liberated.  Terrorists do not liberate, they enslave. The Syrians need courage, more than ever before. 
ANOTHER NATION, ANOTHER WAR – Can beauty save our world?
“Beauty will save the world”  These words by Russian philosopher, Fyodor Dostoevsky can be easily dismissed as hopelessly naive, considering
THE DEATH OF COMPASSION – the birth of barbarism
Hannah Arendt once said that the death of human compassion is one of the earliest and most telling signs of
“THESE COLOURS DON’T RUN”:  The American elections and a civil war
In her 2022 book, “How Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them,” renowned political scientist Barbara F. Walter argues that
A HEART FOR THE ENEMY – Consider the Christ
Where did Jesus announce, for the first time, that He is the Messiah? Take a deep breath... In enemy territory,
YAHYA SINWAR – Can grace and hatred co-exist in the same heart?
For those who express a continued hatred against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, the question to ask is if hatred can
HISTORY TELLS US HOW THE WAR WILL END:  14 October – a turning point?   
14 October 2024 could well mark a turning point in the Israel-Gaza conflict.  The event was less conspicuous than the
THE GAZA DEATH TOLL: Can the numbers be trusted?
Instead of being pierced with a deep sense of sorrow, the numbers of those who have died in Gaza are
CHRISTIANITY IN ISRAEL: 5 facts that will surprise you
Following my previous article on the Church in Lebanon, I received questions about why I “never report on the church
FROM TRAGEDY TO ATROCITY: Standing with the Church in Gaza and Lebanon
If we don’t share the pain of Christians in Gaza and Lebanon, we are either not part of the body
DEMONIZING THE ENEMY:  Israel and the manipulation of shadow projections
Holocaust and Genocide never, repeat never happen without lies about an evil “Other.” A single human being may hurt, or
COMPLICIT CHRISTIANITY: How Gaza is shaping missions in the Middle East.
Complicit Christianity, pro-Israel advocates who support the military engagement in Gaza, will ultimately lead to the extinction of the Palestinian
LEBANON: The People’s Reaction to the War.
At diaLOGOS (www.dialogos.co.za) and The Third Way, we are grateful to have friends, partners, and co-workers in regions that are
DENYING THE TRUTH BY DEFENDING IT: A lesson from Peter, the man of three swords
So, there I was, Peter, the man of three swords, the only one standing between my Master, his enemies and
A COLLECTIVE CALL TO THE GLOBAL CHURCH – from Middle East Evangelical Leaders
We, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi evangelical leaders representing various churches and Christian ministries, warmly invite our brothers
 A Christian Response to Evil in Israel/Palestine
Defining evil in politics is notoriously complex. While politicians often reduce evil to ideologies, extremism, or oppression, the Christian point
BE STILL:  A Christian Response to an Olympic Offense
My friend and ministry partner for the past 3 decades wrote me a message responding to my Facebook posts after
I FEEL I HAVE TO SAY THIS: I apologise
I feel I have to say this:  I want to issue a public apology to all people who witnessed the
CHRISTOFASCISM:  Bringing Christ into conflict.
There was one meeting that was more disconcerting than the speech Mr. Netanyahu delivered to the US Congress in July. 
OLYMPIC GAMES: Being offended by things that matter
If you want to be offended, BE OFFENDED, but be offended by things that matter to God.  For God’s sake,
A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS: Gazans killed will pass the 180,000 mark.
A recent report by the Lancet Group estimates that up to 186 000 deaths could be attributable to the current conflict
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA:  7 Facts South Africans need to know
Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the African National Congress (ANC), has been re-elected President of South Africa for the country’s
BETRAYING GOD: Gaza’s children
On June 7 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has added the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to the global list of top
Visit to Lebanon and Egypt:  The Intent of ONE ANOTHERNESS
Why go on an outreach?  Why travel all the way to the Middle East?  Why don't you just send them
ELATION AND MOURNING – A costly exercise to free 4 hostages in Gaza
How do we as believers deal with the tension caused by the extremes of elation and anguish?  How do we
THE BOANERGES BROTHERS,ME AND HAMAS: An admirable loyalty but a deplorable devotion.
As I reflected on the story of the 'sons of thunder' in scripture, three questions arose: Firstly, I wonder what
A DOMICIDAL WAR IN GAZA: and the blah blahs of the Christian Church
Sadly, it seems like the only appropriate response many Christians the West feel comfortable in offering to the current conflict
CHOOSING SIDES – WHAT CURRENCY DO YOU USE?
What currency do I use when I communicate my convictions about Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Palestinians?  What currency did Jesus use
FAMINE IN GAZA: CONNECTED EXTREMES IN A DISCONNECTED WORLD
The IPC’s global hunger monitor says Gaza has already surpassed the first two criteria that define a famine- food shortage
GAZA – A PANDEMIC OF THE MIND
There is a new pandemic sweeping the globe.  I suffer from it, you, as reader, suffer from it and every
THREE CONTRADISTINCTIVE GIFTS OF HOLY WEEK
Easter week started yesterday.  During this week, before we celebrate the redemptive grace of God, we celebrate the lord’s goodness
PEACE IN ISRAEL HAS A PALESTINIAN FACE
If you are praying for the peace of Jerusalem, like Psalm 122 instructs, then take a moment to reconsider your
GAZA, THE GOOD SAMARITAN AND THE IDIOSYNCRASY OF JESUS
Today, two thousand years later, the setting of the Good Samaritan is fairly much the same as Gazans suffer beyond
ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF: The 3 laws of a just war
Many Christians, with firm convictions that Israel is acting purely out of self-defence in Gaza, are good people acting in
THE PALESTINIAN CRY: Through Lebanese Lenses
When observing the Gaza conflict, it, therefore, becomes an absolute necessity to listen to those who are directly affected, to
COUNT YOUR WORDS – because heaven does!
Every word I speak will be accounted for – every word - by God himself.  How we address the needs
A LIFE IN GAZA:  great value BUT little dignity.
On 7 October 2023, when Hamas crossed the southern borders of Israel and killed 1,139 people, a moral question arose
GAZA: A lost generation
The British political campaign group ‘Led By Donkeys’ laid out 11,500 sets of Children's clothing representing one set of clothes
THE GAZA CONFLICT AND BUBBLE-BASED-BELIEVERS
We now live in a season of bubble-based-believers.  The conflict in Gaza has subtly turned Bible-based believers into bubble-based believers. 
PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS: 7 trademarks of rotten rhetoric
This article is written for those who believe that we can only expect Godly outcomes if we engage in Godly
“STATISTICS IN GAZA DON’T BLEED” – Think again
“Statistics don’t bleed”, or at least, so the saying goes.  This is the sad reality of Gaza today.  So how
SOWING SUSPICION, the 7th sin when discussing global events
How serious are we really about scripture when we attempt to interpret the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Yemen? 
WHEN GOD CHANGES A SEASON: The ultimate election year.
2024 is not just an election year. It’s perhaps the election year. Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls
GAZA – Creating space for the God of love
Here is a sobering thought:  love cannot coexist or be contained in the same heart that is filled with fear,
GAZA: Proportional retribution or disproportional grace?
Targeting civilians in a conflict is a war crime.  But what if there are civilians in or near a legitimate
JUSTICE AND COMPASSION: The challenge is in the balance
How do we respond to the conflict in Gaza?  Do we seek justice with punishment or justice with compassion?  Only
HIS LAW IS LOVE AND HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE: A Palestinian Israeli Christian reflects on Christmas, justice, and war in...
We are now celebrating Christmas. How can we embody the Prince of Peace for both Palestinians and Israelis? This essay
THE “GOSPEL” ACCORDING TO ISRAEL: A message conceived in hell.
Extremely disturbing from a Christian perspective is the terminology used by the Israel Defence Force (IDF) for their latest AI
THEM VERSUS US: Vices that the Gaza conflict exposed
A Christian vice that is currently under a magnifying lens for all to see is how believers look at wars
CLAY VERSUS WAX:  what the Gaza conflict exposed
Our response to the conflict in Gaza has more to do with the content of our hearts than the convictions
THE GUILTY versus THE INNOCENT: Vices that the Gaza conflict exposed.
Over the past few days, we have been contemplating vices that the conflict in Gaza has exposed within the Christian
ASSIGNMENT versus ALIGNMENT: what the Gaza conflict exposed
Over the past few days, we have been contemplating vices that the conflict in Gaza has exposed within the Christian
A THEOPOLITICAL KINGDOM versus A GEOPOLITICAL NATION: what the Gaza conflict exposed
Observing Gaza, it seems like Christians have taken on the role of aggressor while Muslims talk peace.  Over the next
VIRTUES VS VICES:  what the Gaza conflict exposed
Observing Gaza, with the loss of more than 17,000 souls, it seems like Christians have taken on the role of
SELECTIVE GENEROSITY: and the future of missions in the Middle East
Unfortunately, the groundbreaking work of countless missionaries in the Middle East during the past decades could be nullified by the
COLLATERAL DAMAGE, COLLECTIVE REDEMPTION – Christmas hope for Gaza
For those who suffered in Israel in the early hours of October 7, there is hope.  For those who have
SANDWICHED BETWEEN SUFFERING: The consecration of the Egyptian Church
In the light of the war in Gaza, we had the opportunity to visit the Church in Egypt, probably the
In Search Of Peacemakers
Few leaders are willing to be known as peacemakers.  But even more concerning is the fact that many Christian leaders
Consider the Bartimaeus of Gaza
Let’s make one thing clear, what we see in Gaza today is NOT a war. From a Hamas perspective, we
A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ATROCITY PROPAGANDA
A new war has emerged since Hamas invaded Israel on 7 October.  This war has drawn innocent bystanders into the
WHAT IS TRUTH?
When is truth, truth and when is truth simply an interpretation?  Is there an absolute truth or is truth always
A COVID VERSION OF 1 CORINTHIANS 13
COVID-19 opened a barn door for love to shine in, but sadly we started cursing the darkness (and one another)
THE EAR OF MALCHUS
The explosive interaction between Malchus and short-tempered, self-righteous defender-of-faith, Simon Peter, sets an example so definitive that it simply cannot
PROJECT BRIDGE TO HOPE
Supporting the church in Thembalethu, George, South Africa
BROKENNESS – and the golden glue of grace
We are not only restored in our joy, we are entrusted with the spiritual duty of rebuilding and reconstructing the
CHARITY IN SOUTH AFRICA: Where is the Church?
I have recently been inundated with questions and comments by Christians in South Africa as to the involvement of the
THE GREAT STINK – when truth alienates
2 Corinthians 5:18-19  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry
IT IS NOT FOR EAGLES TO CATCH FLIES.
Isaiah 40:31  But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
EASTER: But the bird will sing.
“Like the blind bird, we will sing! Regardless of whether we can see through the darkness or not, we will
THE CARROT, THE EGG AND THE TEA BAG
What flavour will I release today when I converse about load-shedding, crime, corruption, and everything else that so easily robs
The 2-minute war in Syria – Looking at suffering in the light of eternity
Through the eyes of an eternal God who sees a thousand years as 3 hours, the 12-year conflict in Syria
Do we believe the God we believe in – The wheelbarrow test
One of the silent predicaments of our present time is for Christians to discern between faith and trust.  These two
SYRIAN WISDOM FOR ANC POTHOLES
Mhardeh, one of only a few Christian towns in Syria, has not only been inspirational in my walk of faith,
ASBURY – A lesson from the butterfly
If we see Asbury as the ultimate destination and a move of God, we embrace are in danger of embracing
Ukraine – One year later: 6 Questions of significance
On 24 February, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised ‘special military operations’ in eastern Ukraine. Now, nearly a year later,
ANGUISH: Having eyes to cry with
Do you have eyes that cry for the people of Turkey and the people of Syria?
COURAGE: for those beyond the Syrian debris
The Syrians need courage, more than ever before.  Courage to endure, to persevere and to survive.  But the passive bystanders,
PROJECT HOPE
Hope is a precious commodity that seems to disappear when one loses sight of it.  The rubble in Aleppo contains
TURKEY EARTHQUAKE – a discriminating disaster
When tragedy strikes, there will always be a clear divide between the 'fortunate unfortunate' and 'unfortunate unfortunate'. There are five
GRATITUDE: a triptych of virtues
How do we as Christians respond to the unhappiness of load-shedding, the dissatisfaction of corruption, and the despair of crime?
TENDER-HEARTEDNESS: the virtue and the mirror of faith
Tender-heartedness is probably the one virtue that will best reveal the God that we serve.
WHINING AND DINING:  A solution to load-shedding
I have always known South Africans to be a resilient people.  A nothing-will-get-us-down people.  A boer-maak-n-plan nation.  NOT anymore.  We
THE VIRTUE OF ACCEPTANCE – Not being a ‘taker of faces’
Virtues are at the core of our character, and character ultimately determines destiny.  The more we acknowledge the potential impact
Project Jonathan
This project is an initiative to bless the Church in Syria.  Will you consider making a contribution? Every gift, no
My 6,000-piece school of life
One of our early YWAM mentors, Alan Williams, frequently reminded us that if your output exceeds your input, your upkeep
Holy Bewilderment
For the first time in centuries, Christianity is now a minority in England and Wales. How do we respond to
Qatar Soccer World Cup and Christian ENTHUSIASM
Football enthusiasts ultimately decided that the World Cup will be a success, regardless of moral, political or ethical objections. And
THE 3 FORGOTTEN FRONTIERS of modern missions
Christ describes a season of unimaginable turmoil and persecution BUT promises that the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed
SWEETNESS – The flavour of salt
Ironically, you have to be seasoned with salt to be sweet. Here are a dozen trademarks of a sweet person
THE SPIRITUAL VIRTUE OF BEAUTY
Beauty, the most evident and attractive virtue of all, is about becoming.  Adding outward adornments can make you beautiful but
SWITZERLAND: THE FRUIT OF FREEDOM SOWN WITH THE SEED OF MARTYRDOM
Switzerland bears witness that Christians are not buried but planted, and that the fruit of freedom is often found on
The imperfection of a perfect Christ
His perfect redemption is revealed through His imperfect body. Our perfect joy is received through His imperfect resurrection
UKRAINE – In the shadow of Easter.
In 2022, with a devastating war raging in Ukraine, Easter will be a time to not only call to remembrance
THE CHRISTMAS LESSON FOR A COVID VACCINE
Think about the Christmas story.  Jesus was born into a community and into a generation.  This is the context of
One COVID-19 death, 6 souls secured for an eternity with God. 
One COVID-19 death, 6 souls secured for an eternity with God.  Yes, COVID-19 will never have the final say.  We
South Africa:  A time to overcome.
Fighting back is not the option – we are called to retaliate.  The only choice we have as Christians is
A LOVELESS PANDEMIC
In an attempt to put the current pandemic into the context of  1 Corinthians 13, I wrote a 1 COVID-19
INSALTED – Christianity inside out
INsalted (Not to be confused with insulted or insulting – to speak to or treat with disrespect or scornful abuse.)
PEPUDA – A different perspective
Why would you fight PEPUDA?  Isn’t hate speech something that your Jesus would also oppose.  Shouldn’t you applaud the ANC
LOADSHEDDING: Making us bitter or making us better?
Life’s unexpected challenges have a way of affecting our spirituality by making us either a better person or a bitter
DELIGHT – the ability to enjoy joy
The virtue of delight is very much like a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.  It’s not only a display, it’s
Bringing out the God-colours in the world.
Finally, draft number 1 of the new book, INSALTED, is completed.  A simple summary of the theme of the book
DISCERNMENT – The CATCH-22 of spiritual virtues
We need the virtue of discernment to discern if we have a spirit of discernment – especially now in the
STORACLES OF FAITH – LESSON 9: Honour the Emperor
It is truly time that we take the stories and the oracles (the STORACLES) of the Persecuted Church seriously – not just testimonies to
LEARNING TO UNLEARN
There are many habits that we need to unlearn, but few are so aggressively revealed as those that we so
WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THIS?  
If the US elections revealed one thing, it is the sad reality that untransformed Christianity, even camouflaged as truth and
WHAT KIND OF TEACHING IS THIS?  
The Bible is as much the source of truth as it is a book that can corrupt.
Evangelieklank tussen oorlogsknalle
Op dié erfenispad klink die evangelie duidelik tussen oorlogsknalle. Ja, die ou boodskap uit die Soutpansberg – steeds toegedraai in
WHAT KIND OF FAITH IS THIS?  
“If your Christian conversion did not reverse the direction of your life, if it did not transform it, then you
FARM MURDERS: Taking revenge – like Jesus did
Christians are not people who passively accept ridicule, persecution, and affliction. They retaliate! But they do not retaliate with the
WHAT KIND OF GOD IS THIS?  
“As Jesus is lynched in the name of religious orthodoxy and executed in the name of imperial justice... we discover
Tour de France – Tour de life
Five lessons for the race of life and the journey of faith
FACEBOOK POLICE: When we judge others by their posts, but ourselves by our convictions
We all face the wrath of the “Facebook Police Force” at one time or another. How do we respond?
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – EIGHT certainties in life
We need to tighten our grip.
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Stamina Capacity
We need to tighten our grip.
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Charitable Capacity
Giving, both how we give and how much we give, is the clearest outward expression of who our God really
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Risk Capacity
We need to confront our fears
FIVE REASONS – why there will NOT be a civil war in America
History has proven that Americans have the ability to rise above their difference. No doubt this will happen again, and
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Intentional Capacity
Unless we can truly expand our capacity to make Godly choices our containers will remain small and unable to contain
Spiritual Accelerationism
There has to be a concerted effort by all who live by the name Jesus to move away from agendas,
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Emotional Capacity (part 2)
Growing our capacity to love deeper, to love wider, to love more extravagantly, and to love completely differently must be
WHAT IS HOPE? – Lessons from Syria
A photo display of seeing the unseen in Syria
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Emotional Capacity (part 1)
Growing our capacity to love deeper, to love wider, to love more extravagantly, and to love completely differently must be
TO PROTEST or NOT TO PROTEST? A conviction or confliction?
10 Reasons not to judge!
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Mental Capacity
“We need to align our theologies not by what man says about God but by what God says about man.“
THREE LINES CROSSED – when George Floyd begged for air
After the murder of George Floyd one began to realise that a number of lines were crossed - the line
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Intellectual Capacity
Are we soldiers or scouts?
CYNIC OR SCEPTIC – Are you a Nathanael or a Didymus?
COVOD-19 is turning skeptics into cynics. Test yourself with the five trademarks of a cynic.
FROM LOMBOK TO LOCKDOWN – a lesson in saltiness
This is not a call to holiness but a call to be attracted to holiness!
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Social Capacity
"When we can see the image of God where we don’t want to see the image of God, then we
COVID-19: Fatal attractions
This is not a call to holiness but a call to be attracted to holiness!
SHIFTING CONTAINERS – Perceptual Capacity
"When we can see the image of God where we don’t want to see the image of God, then we
LOCK-DOWN:  abort it or extend it? 
5 attitudes when choosing the best of two evils
SOWING SUSPICION, the 7th sin in a global pandemic
How serious are we really about scripture when we attempt to interpret the season we live in from a Biblical
RESPONDING TO COVID-19: Revealing or Reflecting?
Every day new theories - and solutions - are presented and leaders are criticised and placed under suspicion by well-meaning
MISSIONS IN A POST COVID-19 WORLD
INcontext International is currently facilitating virtual conferences with representatives from across the globe to discuss MISSIONS IN A POST COVID-19