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 lives of those around us who are broken. Nowhere is this more beautifully exemplified than in the art of Kintsugi.
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 Church in local charity work. As an Analytical Strategist, who places a high value on well-researched statistics, I decided to indulge in some fact-finding.
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 of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. rec·on·cili·ation: The act of causing two people or…
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; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. One of the many lessons I brought back from Syria is that our impact on society is directly, and proportionately, related…
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 sing.”
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 me of the joy I have? Through all the years of serving the Persecuted Church, my life was filled with living examples of TEA BAG CHRISTIANS. I have not only been inspired but transformed by those who embrace the cross, patiently endure their suffering, and become beacons of light in their communities.
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 equals 2 minutes and 20 seconds. How glorious to know therefore that time submits to God and that He exists outside the boundaries of the time capsule we live in that contains our hardships and suffering altogether.
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 virtues are often confused: many who proclaim FAITH in an omnipotent, spectacular God do not always TRUST His involvement or abilities, setting Him aside as an impotent, spectator God.
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, but transformational in my expression of faith. It holds a key so precious that even writing this article leaves me wary, knowing that the way of the cross for the church in the west is often a road less traveled.
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 a caterpillar theology. And even though it is a glorious departure point of birth and renewal, revival is ultimately about transformation and not about worship. Let’s take a lesson from the humble butterfly!