We had a wonderful time together on Saturday evening. Each of us shared our lows and highs of this year and our plans (or what He has showed us) for the following year. It was great to look back as we were so encouraged by what God has done in each of our lives and how He has changed us and still is. We had all been through some "valley" experiences during the year and it was amazing to see how that had changed for all of us and how we had grown through it. God really did some root work in 2010. Some of us had "flown the nest" and were able to testify that God has really been faithful and looked after us every step of the way. We were all clearly able to see his hand at work in our lives and this once again made us see that HE REALLY IS IN CONTROL.
Aldi shared some of JJ's experiences in India. It was great to hear that he is doing so well and that God is opening up opportunities for him everywhere.
Aldi knows someone who gives a very convincing argument that the gospel is only for the Jews and not for the other nations. We discussed this in length, visited different bible verses and found it very interesting.
Thursday
TOO LATE, TOO LATE
Last week we put out a last minute notice that Danie and Esther were going to be sharing at the Pretoria fellowship and not Midrand. Unfortunately it was a bit too late as everyone in the Midrand fellowship had prior commitments (due to Pretoria fellowship taking place in the afternoon and not the evening). Other's had sick children. This week everyone is looking forward to good fellowship, kingdom discussions and some good old spurring each other one. Hope to see you there.
SAT EVENING - 4 DECEMBER 2010
After a very full week away with Philip's sending cell we gathered together on Saturday night for some kingdom focussed fellowship. Instead of the usual bring and share we decided to have an ice cream and chocolate sauce evening. The main topic of the evening was journalling which is a way of sitting at the Father's feet and hearing his heart for us on different situations that we face. It is really important that we develop this in our lives so that we can hear His voice clearly and obey. The topic evolved into prayer, ineffective and effective. It is so easy to pray our own will over a situation instead of first finding out what God is doing in that situation and what His will is regarding it. Really interesting stuff. This of course then led on to a discussion on healing and how we pray for that. A few things that Schwemma said really made us question our faith when it comes to "how we pray" for this. Anyway, we all had a great evening and went home with lots of food for thought.
Friday
LOY KRATHONG - THAI FESTIVAL AT BRIGHTWATER COMMONS
Last week all of the fellowshippers took a night off to join in the festivities at the Thailand Festival at Brightwater Commons. It was great to immerse ourselves in a bit of Thai culture again, even though it was only a glimpse of the real Thailand. Good food, good fellowship and loads of fun.
The Thai's were celebrating the festival of Loy Krathong. Loy means float in Thai and krathong is a banana leaf. The leaf is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. A low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. During the night of the full moon, Thais will float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond lake. The festival is believed to originate in an ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of the waters. It is also an opportunity for the Thai's to send their grudges, failing and sins off down the river on their Krathong. It was quite a sight to see all the Krathong's floating off into the Brightwater fountains.
They also sent floating lanterns off into the sky with their sin's attached. The lanterns looked a bit like miniature hot air balloons. It was impressive.
What a lot of lanterns.... and sin
The day was ended with a Thai massage for those brave enough to be twisted into a pretzel and a late night coffee. Those who tried the pretzel treatment paid the price the next day when they couldn't get out of bed. Mwaaaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaa.
The Thai's were celebrating the festival of Loy Krathong. Loy means float in Thai and krathong is a banana leaf. The leaf is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. A low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. During the night of the full moon, Thais will float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond lake. The festival is believed to originate in an ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of the waters. It is also an opportunity for the Thai's to send their grudges, failing and sins off down the river on their Krathong. It was quite a sight to see all the Krathong's floating off into the Brightwater fountains.
They also sent floating lanterns off into the sky with their sin's attached. The lanterns looked a bit like miniature hot air balloons. It was impressive. 
What a lot of lanterns.... and sin
The day was ended with a Thai massage for those brave enough to be twisted into a pretzel and a late night coffee. Those who tried the pretzel treatment paid the price the next day when they couldn't get out of bed. Mwaaaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaa.
Wednesday
No meeting last week... and no meeting this week
Well, nobody pitched, so I said I would do the blog!
This approaching Saturday there will be no fellowship at the KE Base as we will all be meeting at Brightwater Commons to attend the Thai Festival....We are not entirely sure what it is all about but thought it a good way to have fellowship.
If you do not know how to get there, give us a call. If you need a ride, LET US KNOW and come to the base as the 'bus' will leave at 15h00.
This approaching Saturday there will be no fellowship at the KE Base as we will all be meeting at Brightwater Commons to attend the Thai Festival....We are not entirely sure what it is all about but thought it a good way to have fellowship.
If you do not know how to get there, give us a call. If you need a ride, LET US KNOW and come to the base as the 'bus' will leave at 15h00.
The balance between meeting the need and exercising God's kingdom will.
The subject for the KE fellowship this last Saturday (6 November) was the balance between meeting the need and exercising Gods kingdom will.
Amongst many “golden nuggets”, the following concepts arose out of the discussion:
1) Jesus never went looking for the need to be met. He just met the need while performing His Fathers will (while on His mission).
2) Is your contribution truly an investment into the Kingdom with tangible returns? (For the Kingdom of course!)
3) We need to change our mind set that if we are executing His kingdom will then we have unlimited resources at our disposal and the “problem” is not insurmountable.
4) A suggestion – cross-cultural missions will naturally sort out the local need.
5) Human logic and emotion are dangerous allies when confronted with the “need”. We need to seek God’s strategy and establish the real need from the people themselves.
Another angle on Mathew 25:42-46 ???
Amongst many “golden nuggets”, the following concepts arose out of the discussion:
1) Jesus never went looking for the need to be met. He just met the need while performing His Fathers will (while on His mission).
2) Is your contribution truly an investment into the Kingdom with tangible returns? (For the Kingdom of course!)
3) We need to change our mind set that if we are executing His kingdom will then we have unlimited resources at our disposal and the “problem” is not insurmountable.
4) A suggestion – cross-cultural missions will naturally sort out the local need.
5) Human logic and emotion are dangerous allies when confronted with the “need”. We need to seek God’s strategy and establish the real need from the people themselves.
Another angle on Mathew 25:42-46 ???
Monday
SAT EVE 30 OCTOBER 2010
Eight adults and three children gathered for fine fellowship, fine food and fine discussions. We started off by sharing about any conflict situations we had experienced in the past week. We had a good laugh at some of our marital spats but also shared how we have grown through the journey and changed to the extent that our conflict situations now only last a short time (i.e. half an hour and not a week). The group realised that our conflicts paled in comparison to what Schwemma had experienced the previous week. God had sent him to Upington to meet a certain women and be a witness in her life but it had not come without a good share of "suffering for the sake of the kingdom".
We had a quick dinner which was sumptious and then we got back to our discussions. We discussed kingdom matters until late into the night and finally left at 22:30.
We had a quick dinner which was sumptious and then we got back to our discussions. We discussed kingdom matters until late into the night and finally left at 22:30.
Wednesday
Suffering for the Kingdom
Saturday 23 October 2010.
This Saturday's discussion topic was one which most of us do not like to hear of especially coming from the perspective of the redemptive gospel (which so many of us have been exposed to) where the prosperity message usually triumphs over the suggestion that we are to suffer for the kingdom's sake.
Suffer, who me, for what? you might ask. Yes. 1 Peter 1:6-7 states that trials will test whether our faith is genuine. Shouldn't we differentiate between kingdom and earthly suffering?
Isn't laying down what you want to do (i.e. laying down your life - for the sake of the kingdom and gospel) the "suffereing" the bible refers to? If our flesh is dead then we will not be able to suffer!
God is always asking "Do you trust Me?". The water always gets deeper. When you start swimming He gives you more responsibility because He trusts you more. God is more interested in the way you handle the trials. Someone in the group said "God is not interested in what you are doing but rather in what you are becoming!"
The new testament frequently refers to blessing - not as prosperity - but as suffering. The point is that we are so far from the Kingdom gospel. The world should not be as attractive as we perceive it to be, yet it is and this results in the selling of a false gospel. We must learn to become a physical representation of Christ who suffered dearly for the sake of the kingdom. When we experience what is worth living for, then we lay our lives down. As Isa 48:10 puts it "I have refined you but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering."
Once God shows you the end result, then the suffering will be worth it.
If you are not yet living a life of suffering, then you are not yet experiencing God's blessing!
PS. It was Rita's and Ansi's birthday. Rita had her cake that afternoon and evening and we skype'd Ansi to wish her "Lekker verjaar, lekker verjaar..." which were both very much appreciated - to the extent that tears (happy) flowed....
This Saturday's discussion topic was one which most of us do not like to hear of especially coming from the perspective of the redemptive gospel (which so many of us have been exposed to) where the prosperity message usually triumphs over the suggestion that we are to suffer for the kingdom's sake.
Suffer, who me, for what? you might ask. Yes. 1 Peter 1:6-7 states that trials will test whether our faith is genuine. Shouldn't we differentiate between kingdom and earthly suffering?
Isn't laying down what you want to do (i.e. laying down your life - for the sake of the kingdom and gospel) the "suffereing" the bible refers to? If our flesh is dead then we will not be able to suffer!
God is always asking "Do you trust Me?". The water always gets deeper. When you start swimming He gives you more responsibility because He trusts you more. God is more interested in the way you handle the trials. Someone in the group said "God is not interested in what you are doing but rather in what you are becoming!"
The new testament frequently refers to blessing - not as prosperity - but as suffering. The point is that we are so far from the Kingdom gospel. The world should not be as attractive as we perceive it to be, yet it is and this results in the selling of a false gospel. We must learn to become a physical representation of Christ who suffered dearly for the sake of the kingdom. When we experience what is worth living for, then we lay our lives down. As Isa 48:10 puts it "I have refined you but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering."
Once God shows you the end result, then the suffering will be worth it.
If you are not yet living a life of suffering, then you are not yet experiencing God's blessing!
PS. It was Rita's and Ansi's birthday. Rita had her cake that afternoon and evening and we skype'd Ansi to wish her "Lekker verjaar, lekker verjaar..." which were both very much appreciated - to the extent that tears (happy) flowed....
Monday
Pics? Words? PICS!!! ok and some words...
As you can see we had an amazing time together. Philip shared, captivating us all when he shared his heart. It is so precious to see the KE Message put to practice out in the field. Joss sticks burned their welcome as joy and laughter abounded.
The message remains heavy even when the enviroment is light... being called COSTS!
Wednesday
Monday
Ten Souls
Ten souls gathered and ten hearts prayed
We started around six as below displayed
Swemmer shared on the miracles in Zim
his bicycle is tired but still carries him
JJ & Aldi shared of their journey so far
'They are off the rollercoaster-in the ghost train car!'
Generlly slipped over to Giglios "Passport"
Broke after seven when dinner held court
Well, here the scribe went ahead of herself
Chatted again, all food thoughts got put back on the shelf
Miracles in Colesburg, Chinese in Cyrildene
The job's not quite as easy as it seems
Dealing with felt needs is just the start
if it's not sustainable it all falls apart.
Okay now before we eat Grant will say 'Grace'
And thats just what he said - even with a straight face
Ezekiel 3:18 came right to the fore
bringing caravans, telescopes, wheels and much more
Swemmer closed in prayer and with thanks
We'll be back next week to refill our tanks
We started around six as below displayed
Swemmer shared on the miracles in Zim
his bicycle is tired but still carries him
JJ & Aldi shared of their journey so far
'They are off the rollercoaster-in the ghost train car!'
Generlly slipped over to Giglios "Passport"
Broke after seven when dinner held court
Well, here the scribe went ahead of herself
Chatted again, all food thoughts got put back on the shelf
Miracles in Colesburg, Chinese in Cyrildene
The job's not quite as easy as it seems
Dealing with felt needs is just the start
if it's not sustainable it all falls apart.
Okay now before we eat Grant will say 'Grace'
And thats just what he said - even with a straight face
Ezekiel 3:18 came right to the fore
bringing caravans, telescopes, wheels and much more
Swemmer closed in prayer and with thanks
We'll be back next week to refill our tanks
Sunday
Stats from the Joshua Project - Sat 25 Sept
In hearing about peoples’ kingdom experiences, most of us shared the general wall of reluctance /lack of knowledge we hit when broaching the mission’s subject in those churches. Some are offended. Some think missions is money. Some say missions is not for everybody. Some are simply not doing IT. We think it is a good thermometer of adequate kingdom maturity.
Grant showed us a Joshua Project power point presentation looking at world evangelization statistics for reached/unreached ethné and the unfinished task at hand. The bible is currently only fully translated in 450 languages: another 2100 languages needs to be done – add to that a 1000 disappearing languages.
**more Christians are martyred in the 20th century than the combined 19 centuries together **only 1 out of 10 x-cultural foreign missionaries minister among unreached people groups ** for every $1 of Christian giving ½ penny (1/2 of 1c) goes to financing pioneer church planting among unreached peoples
The presentation ends with ‘Every follower of Christ has the responsibility and joy of participating in the Great Commission’. What’s the catch? What has the GC been defined as? Is it based on the kingdom program or the salvation program? Is missions the centrality i.e mission-centered-church or visa versa?
After supper the real journey continued, as always.
Grant showed us a Joshua Project power point presentation looking at world evangelization statistics for reached/unreached ethné and the unfinished task at hand. The bible is currently only fully translated in 450 languages: another 2100 languages needs to be done – add to that a 1000 disappearing languages.
**more Christians are martyred in the 20th century than the combined 19 centuries together **only 1 out of 10 x-cultural foreign missionaries minister among unreached people groups ** for every $1 of Christian giving ½ penny (1/2 of 1c) goes to financing pioneer church planting among unreached peoples
The presentation ends with ‘Every follower of Christ has the responsibility and joy of participating in the Great Commission’. What’s the catch? What has the GC been defined as? Is it based on the kingdom program or the salvation program? Is missions the centrality i.e mission-centered-church or visa versa?
After supper the real journey continued, as always.
Monday
Sat 11 September - does God let us down?
We often suffer from impatience and anxiety and when we pray we want it NOW. 2 viewpoints are valid: from where you are (earthly perspective) and from where God is (an eternal perspective). Lordship. Fear. Disappointment. Recognise the real truth when things don’t turn out the way you expected it to. We all trust God to change stuff. He is Sovereign and He is Just. Belief will always go to worldview and worldview will always determine behavior.
Then we watched The Treasure Hunt or better known as The Matrix. It all sounded so familiar, amazing how the movie replicates a lot of what JP says in P2P…. Timeless, riveting, valid. So then, did you experience a deja vu moment recently?
Then we watched The Treasure Hunt or better known as The Matrix. It all sounded so familiar, amazing how the movie replicates a lot of what JP says in P2P…. Timeless, riveting, valid. So then, did you experience a deja vu moment recently?
Wednesday
few for fellowship
Again we were few fellows who came to fellowship, but even so, questions were asked and answers were served along with sandwiches and fried rice. We welcomed a new face including her heart and soul, found out a little more about who she was and what she does. Korea Modenda from Zimbabwe came up in the conversation and the testimony he has was shared by Jakes. All in all it was a good time, and fruitful.
Saturday
This weeks theme will be next weeks' theme...
Ако едно прекрасно време, въпреки че бяхме само няколко души. Изядохме къри и къри и ориз, а след това всички в чата отиде у дома си заради умора, една и съща тема за следващата седмица, тъй като щеше да е тази седмица!
And if you highltght the text, you will be able to translate it via bing or plain google translate....;-P
And if you highltght the text, you will be able to translate it via bing or plain google translate....;-P
Wednesday
21 August 2010
What an evening! We had so much fun and laughter! Rita started us off with a very unique way of getting the whole group to their knees – she broke her beads bracelet. You can just imagine us crawling on the floor chasing after the rolling beads on the smoothly tiled floor!
Fortunately all of us have been on our knees the past few weeks and were expecting God to give us breakthrough on various areas/issues in our lives and it is with great thankfulness that we can praise the Lord for coming through for all of us in different ways. Even if God said No, we still know that it is His will.
JJ, Aldi and Ansie gave feedback on the Hindu evangelism course they attended. Interesting questions were raised eg. What is the “right way” to reach the nations? and What is God’s way to reach the nations?
We came to the conclusion that we need wisdom and we need to depend on God to give us guidance through the Holy Spirit. Becoming a belonger, contextualisation and continuous discipleship are still some of the best ways to reach the nations.
On another topic….
JJ also shared his new insight on the four personality types which Mark Gungor calls personality “countries”.
Interesting topic indeed …
Fortunately all of us have been on our knees the past few weeks and were expecting God to give us breakthrough on various areas/issues in our lives and it is with great thankfulness that we can praise the Lord for coming through for all of us in different ways. Even if God said No, we still know that it is His will.
JJ, Aldi and Ansie gave feedback on the Hindu evangelism course they attended. Interesting questions were raised eg. What is the “right way” to reach the nations? and What is God’s way to reach the nations?
We came to the conclusion that we need wisdom and we need to depend on God to give us guidance through the Holy Spirit. Becoming a belonger, contextualisation and continuous discipleship are still some of the best ways to reach the nations.
On another topic….
JJ also shared his new insight on the four personality types which Mark Gungor calls personality “countries”.
Interesting topic indeed …
Tuesday
Peace (And Prayer for South Africa)
Although this Saturday’s topic was “What do we understand about the meaning of the word “Peace” in the New Testament”, the discussion evolved into determining whether inner peace was a good indicator for accepting the status quo.
To introduce the main theme of the discussion it is pertinent to mention that God has laid on Jaco’s heart the desire and passion to stir up prayer by South Africans for South Africa.
The scripture God laid on his heart was 1Timothy 2:1-4. “First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”
The issue however is that a stumbling block has presented itself in the form of an obstacle to this goal. Jaco is grappling with the concept of whether the obstacle is God’s way of letting him know that the timing is not right or whether it’s the devil sowing destruction and confusion. Either way how do we get peace from the situation?
After presenting the scenario and sharing his heart regarding the prayer quest, the following main points were agreed with:
- South Africa is ready to take the mission message forward.
- This can be achieved through the prayers of righteous men and woman (The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results James 5:16).
- Prayers seem to have the same heart but lack direction.
- Genuine love for others does not seem to be the motivation behind the prayer but rather seem to be egocentric and based upon fear (safety, crime, corruption, poverty, removal of prosperity …) and clearly lack the bottom line component of the covenant.
The questions raised were:
-What is the real motive for the prayer?
-Are the prayers Kingdom oriented?
-How do you know when you start to “hit the mark”?
Some answers were:
-Love should be the central motive for prayer.
-Bottom line would be the Kingdom response to the blessings we as a nation have received. So pray for the nations 1st – get the message out there. Gods economy is “if you are sick and need healing, pray for others that are sick; if you are in need of finances, sow where you see a need….” James 4:3 And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure.
-Prosperity does not bring true peace but inner peace comes with being aligned with the kingdom. This peace will probably be accompanied by trials and tribulation. So you know you’ve hit the mark when you have peace while all manner of tribulation is breaking around you.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
1Peter 1:6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
The message is right – get South Africans praying, but is the model correct?
So isn’t the strategy to pray that the nation will turn towards God’s ways … 2Ch 7:14-15 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
I will listen to every prayer made in this place…
and then to prayer for the nations and learn to love other cultures the way God loves them.
Remember God doesn’t want us to fix the problem. He will fix it but using us to do so.
To introduce the main theme of the discussion it is pertinent to mention that God has laid on Jaco’s heart the desire and passion to stir up prayer by South Africans for South Africa.
The scripture God laid on his heart was 1Timothy 2:1-4. “First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”
The issue however is that a stumbling block has presented itself in the form of an obstacle to this goal. Jaco is grappling with the concept of whether the obstacle is God’s way of letting him know that the timing is not right or whether it’s the devil sowing destruction and confusion. Either way how do we get peace from the situation?
After presenting the scenario and sharing his heart regarding the prayer quest, the following main points were agreed with:
- South Africa is ready to take the mission message forward.
- This can be achieved through the prayers of righteous men and woman (The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results James 5:16).
- Prayers seem to have the same heart but lack direction.
- Genuine love for others does not seem to be the motivation behind the prayer but rather seem to be egocentric and based upon fear (safety, crime, corruption, poverty, removal of prosperity …) and clearly lack the bottom line component of the covenant.
The questions raised were:
-What is the real motive for the prayer?
-Are the prayers Kingdom oriented?
-How do you know when you start to “hit the mark”?
Some answers were:
-Love should be the central motive for prayer.
-Bottom line would be the Kingdom response to the blessings we as a nation have received. So pray for the nations 1st – get the message out there. Gods economy is “if you are sick and need healing, pray for others that are sick; if you are in need of finances, sow where you see a need….” James 4:3 And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure.
-Prosperity does not bring true peace but inner peace comes with being aligned with the kingdom. This peace will probably be accompanied by trials and tribulation. So you know you’ve hit the mark when you have peace while all manner of tribulation is breaking around you.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
1Peter 1:6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
The message is right – get South Africans praying, but is the model correct?
So isn’t the strategy to pray that the nation will turn towards God’s ways … 2Ch 7:14-15 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
I will listen to every prayer made in this place…
and then to prayer for the nations and learn to love other cultures the way God loves them.
Remember God doesn’t want us to fix the problem. He will fix it but using us to do so.
Wednesday
Sermon on the Tugela River
Have you ever considered visiting the Zulu people on the Tugela River? Beautiful fishing, treacherous snakes, unpredictable weather, indigenous people, secluded and dangerous. Your preparation would include a heavy backpack with all a stranger to that area would need to survive walking that 40 – 90 km hike and a willingness to survive off a zebra carcass if need be... Or should one risk all and take nothing but yourself and go just as you are? If you are interested in joining Jaco le Roux on a scouting trip, please contact the writer to put you in contact with him.
Sunday
Twelve there were and twelve were we
Twelve strong we were on saturday - there to talk about being disciplers. Yes we understand there is no such word in the oxford dictionary , but know full well it is what we are all called to be. Paulien outdid herself with what she prepared on the topic, some interesting and valids points that were shared:
---Servanthood is high on the list of the curricculum of all disciplERS/Leaders.
---As in mountaineering expeditions and rock climbing endeavors, we are all connected... when one falls we all need to stop to regain our momentum. Picking up the one who has fallen, or simply giving them the time to reestablish themselves within the body.
---We should all be prepared to confront and correct one another(Adequate maturity gets tested here) and we should be able to accept the correction.
---Without denying ourselves, we cannot be His disciples - a tough but real wake up call for us all.
---Be prepared to take some knocks for the Kingdom
---Servanthood is high on the list of the curricculum of all disciplERS/Leaders.
---As in mountaineering expeditions and rock climbing endeavors, we are all connected... when one falls we all need to stop to regain our momentum. Picking up the one who has fallen, or simply giving them the time to reestablish themselves within the body.
---We should all be prepared to confront and correct one another(Adequate maturity gets tested here) and we should be able to accept the correction.
---Without denying ourselves, we cannot be His disciples - a tough but real wake up call for us all.
---Be prepared to take some knocks for the Kingdom
Tuesday
TAAI BOER SPIT BRAAI - SAT 24 JULY 2010
If you were on the farm in Bronkhorstspruit early enough Saturday morning, you would have seen the mist that greeted us, which was also the last quiet moment for that entire day. Slowly the jumping castle started to inflate and just like in the movies, the walking bodies started to fast forward as the sending cell (and other special people) hastily made the last preparations in anticipation for the arrival of the Taai boer’s senders and family.
Arno has been busy with the speared pig, which has now become “The Spit”, a sacrifice to behold in the adoring glowing coals. The family boma become an intimate flavor of the nations with food and drink, laptops and projectors, people and chairs, setting the stage finally for the big M-word… JP starts to talk about how IT gives us direction as a body of believers and how an extra-ordinary man like Philip took God at His word, and so gave us a place to serve and become self involved in His divine conspiracy.
Jenni and Llew then showed their beautiful slides of their family outreach in Vietnam, looking specifically for special but lonely and detached people from all over the world, who are busy travelling the globe looking for love in all the wrong places. Philip’s blog was publically launched and introduced by its creator, Grant, who showed how to navigate through Thailand from South Africa. The next country on the big screen was India where Ansie undertook a 6month life changing YWAM DTS, that proved going cross cultural was very much what Jesus had in mind when he said we should GO.
And then we saw him …. only briefly but long enough to know that the Thai speaking Afrikaans could only come from Philip himself! It proved too much for the skype line but Flipi held that room with stories of his Thai life, his heart conversations with the Father, his strange yet captivating life. And then the moment came when heaven poured out a Thai blessing over us when Philip prayed in Thai for his own people and yet not with him…….
Eventually, like with all good SA spit braai’s ,it was indeed time to “val maar weg”. Ai, the crowds went wild! We survived the overwhelming success of course, just because we could. Next?
Wednesday
Eet is Beeeg velly velly beeeg
Twenty two strong we were Saturday evening
After being asked what happened during the week, though not just personal do and don’ts, but Kingdom-wise, what has God done for you, through you , with you this week. To an amazing and exciting discovery that God has been so busy! Llewellyn reported on their ministry trip to Zimbabwe and how they were used in a number of ways; and saw God’s hand in the work that is happening there. They loved the experience and returned with paint spattered hair...
Grant and Suzana are thrilled that they are able to be used in a very practical way of returning Zimbabweans back home when they are unable to get back on their own steam. They have a heart for these young mothers and children, which is growing and turning into a real learning experience and a platform to expose others.
Danie and Esther were gracious enough to join us again from ASM, they had just recently been exposed to some incredible teachings which truly made them question the Lordship of Jesus in their/our lives – REALLY!!
Thank you Jaco for introducing Korea to us, who is a Zimbabwean he met the previous week. It was great to see that there are opportunities all around us to get our hands ‘dirty’ and get involved with skin contact two.
Joburg Gen has come through once again!!!
Many of the group had attended the funeral of Adriaan Vermooten, the general feedback was that it was the most amazing celebration of a young life well lived. Please continue to pray for his parents as they deal with their loss and yet continue to serve God with all they have.
The main topic of the evening was .....
.....
Wait for it.....
D-I-S-C-I-P-L-E-S-H-I-P
Things that arose:
When is one discipled? Is adequate maturity required? Is everybody called to disciple? Are we all expected to disciple or is it all up to YOU? (You really needed to be there/here.................BEEEG Subject , Very BEEEEEG))
Saturday
Ansie's Answers
Ansie did so well... as another groups' worth of people listened and interacted with her 'report back' from her time in India. She attended the YWAM DTS in Chennai , went as Ansie and returned as Ansie! Same-Same but different. As they say in Viet Nam...
She did things she never thought she would
and didn't do the things she thought she should
Stretched, growing and reaching out to God
Slept on hard floors - not very mod
Slept on hard floors - not very mod
She swam fully clothed and had fun nonetheless
Lived and laughed happily in what we'd call a mess.
Her heart shines brightly with her trust in the Lord
Her smiles reach her eyes, there is no more dischord.
Ansie we thank you for sharing your your time
We would appreciate if we could be your partners in 'crime'.
We'll pray for you Sister that God shows you how
Where He wants you and also...what happens now?
Thursday
Ally-terations
What an interesting evening! We were a "whole group's" worth of people sitting listening to the experiences of Alison over the last six months. As she shared, so our eyes were opened. It was precious to see God's hand in her life throughout the time she was in Malaysia , Vietnam and Cambodia. He arranged meetings and built networks all the time building her faith in Him, growing her love for Him and showing his grace in abundance in her life. We are excited to see that God is a God of now! To know that you know that you know that our God is The God of the Now for each one of us, is a liberating experience!
We look forward to many more evenings of Feedback time from people who have been 'out there' and come to share what they have done for God and the Kingdom or what God and the Kingdom has done for them...
We realise the privilege we have growing together, journeying together in the Kingdom.
We look forward to many more evenings of Feedback time from people who have been 'out there' and come to share what they have done for God and the Kingdom or what God and the Kingdom has done for them...
We realise the privilege we have growing together, journeying together in the Kingdom.
Tuesday
Attempting to break through cultural barriers
It was great to see a whole lot of new faces all the way from Pta - welcome guys! They have all completed Mapping Point and started their journey with us to find their own role in the Kingdom.
Grant posted 2 topics for tonight because of their own involvement with a Zimbabwean family, starting to measure and implement the course material first hand. He said the urgency becomes real when you get actively involved.
We talked about why Satan seems to mainly manifest in the Yellow Road but is not seen openly in the Red Road. When trying to reach another culture by identifying with them, we face contextualisation as well as syncretism in a very real way.
The question was raised about praying for your food in a cross-cultural situation, eating food offered to idols and the necessity to distinguish between ritual & moral law. Can you tell what are the 2 New Testament ritual laws believers are commanded to obey?
If a rose is a rose and it reamins one even by any other name, is Allah God? Are we able to have a relationship with Allah? Who is the One and Only Creator God through your cultural lenses?
Grant posted 2 topics for tonight because of their own involvement with a Zimbabwean family, starting to measure and implement the course material first hand. He said the urgency becomes real when you get actively involved.
We talked about why Satan seems to mainly manifest in the Yellow Road but is not seen openly in the Red Road. When trying to reach another culture by identifying with them, we face contextualisation as well as syncretism in a very real way.
The question was raised about praying for your food in a cross-cultural situation, eating food offered to idols and the necessity to distinguish between ritual & moral law. Can you tell what are the 2 New Testament ritual laws believers are commanded to obey?
If a rose is a rose and it reamins one even by any other name, is Allah God? Are we able to have a relationship with Allah? Who is the One and Only Creator God through your cultural lenses?
Friday
TURNING POINT
We had a great time fellowshipping on Saturday night once again. Lots of delicious food and conversation. The evening was started by everyone sharing what is going on in their lives at the moment. Very interesting as always. Sharing like this is good as iron sharpens and iron and hearing about another's journey, the ups and downs encourages one another. We are all at various stages in our journey of coming to the realization that God owns us and everything we have and our lives are not our own. The issue of laying down our lives to find out what He wants us to do and also to serve others is something that we are all examining and oh, how deep it goes.
We shared quite late into the evening so we didn't visit our topic for very long. We briefly touched on what Turning Point meant and how it is affecting our lives. It is definitely not just another course. This is a complete change of lifestyle. Passage to Purpose has the potential to ruin your life as you knew it. Or what you thought was YOUR life.
We shared quite late into the evening so we didn't visit our topic for very long. We briefly touched on what Turning Point meant and how it is affecting our lives. It is definitely not just another course. This is a complete change of lifestyle. Passage to Purpose has the potential to ruin your life as you knew it. Or what you thought was YOUR life.
Wednesday
travelers tell all...
To see God's hand in the lives of people that attend the fellowship! It was really great to be a part of their travels. Hearing how God stepped in in many circumstances, how He held the Bates family in the palm of His hand during the five weeks they were in Viet Nam was extremely encouraging. We are thrilled to be on this journey with them. In fact we are thrilled to be involved in the lives around us. God is so good. He is so faithful. Thank you Llew, Jenni and kids for a wonderfully informative evening. To everyone who made their scouting trip possible, we thank you too.
Tuesday
TO BE OR NOT TO BE
Sorry you missed out if you were not here last week. What an amazing experience to see brothers and sisters work through a pickle. Understanding sodality dynamics and planning to become a sodality are two completely different things as we came to realise – thanks Mark for scribing so well, thanks to the apostles out there for giving us such big things to chew on. Overall the flavour was terrific from chewing on our pickle – brainstorming in the Kingdom is such fun – looking forward to so many more evenings like this. Next week will be a flavour of a different kind – come taste and see that it is good.
Wednesday
SATURDAY 15 MAY - THE PINEAPPLE STORY
This saturday we listened to Otto Koning's "The Pineapple Story". After battling with the audio visual equipment we settled down to listen to an MP3 downloaded of the web.
The story is full of extremely humorous anecdotes relating his encounter with the people group he was ministering to and his testimony of surrendering all to God; the creator of all.
Otto Koning was a missionary in Dutch New Guinea (The western part of New Guinea). He worked among a local native tribe that had known only their village ways, one of which was stealing from others. When Otto and his wife arrived and moved into a hut, the natives often came by to visit and - as the Koning’s discovered to their dismay when they went to preach in the natives' village –left with various of their household items.
The only fruit Otto could grow on the island was pineapples, which Otto loved and took pride in growing. However, whenever the pineapples began to ripen, the natives would steal them to the extent that Otto could never keep a ripe pineapple for himself. This he found was extremely frustrating, and he became angry with the natives. All during the seven-year period in which this took place, Otto preached the gospel to these natives, but never had a single conversion.
The more the natives stole, the angrier Otto became leading him to take drastic measures in order to protect the fruit such as flying in a German Shepherd dog from another missionary. This only further alienated the natives.
You see the natives understood that the fruit that nature bears belongs to no man and is therefor available for consumption by anyone.
In time Otto took a furlough and attended a conference on personal rights where he discovered why he was so frustrated. He realised that he had taken personal ownership of the pineapple garden and that the garden did not belong to him after all. After much soul searching, he gave his garden to God.
Soon the natives started having problems among their tribe and they discovered that Otto was the reason for their problems because he had given his garden to his God. The natives saw a correlation between what Otto had done and their own lives being affected by calamities in their village. Once Otto gave his garden to God, he no longer got angry and was free from worry. The natives started bringing him fruit from the garden because they didn't want any more calamities to affect them.
Otto then saw the “light” one day when a native said to him, "You must have become a Christian, Otto. You don't get angry anymore. We always wondered if we would ever meet a Christian." You see they had never associated Otto with the kind of person he was preaching about because his message did not line up with his lifestyle. Otto was embarrassed and humbled by this realisation.
At the end of seven years, he witnessed his first conversion, and many began coming to Christ once he fully gave his garden to God. The fruit grew so abundantly that Otto began exporting it and growing other types of fruit, such as bananas. His village became the most evangelized in the whole region, yet for seven years prior to that he had not one convert.
Otto realized something each of us must realize: To gain your life you must lose it, along with your possessions. It was only when he gave all his possessions to God that he became free from them. What is more God gave manifold to him once Otto had surrendered all and had given God complete ownership.
Do you have some possessions or worries that you need to surrender to God today? Let God have all that you have. Become a steward, not an owner. You will be surprised at how well God can take care of His possessions.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever
loses his life for My sake will find it. - Mat 10:39
And quoting James Elliot….
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose…”
So let us surrender to God what belongs to God!!!
Discussions afterwards involved:
Do we really have any right to that which God provides?
Wouldn’t surrendering give us the “peace which surpasses all understanding”?
Is God always in control?
How did Otto’s strategy stand up to the 4 pillars of mandate, message, model and power?
Note. James Elliot (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was an evangelical Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people through efforts known as Operation Auca.
For further MP3's relating Otto Koning's testaments go to the following link: http://www.freewebs.com/snakestory/pineapplestory.htm
The story is full of extremely humorous anecdotes relating his encounter with the people group he was ministering to and his testimony of surrendering all to God; the creator of all.
Otto Koning was a missionary in Dutch New Guinea (The western part of New Guinea). He worked among a local native tribe that had known only their village ways, one of which was stealing from others. When Otto and his wife arrived and moved into a hut, the natives often came by to visit and - as the Koning’s discovered to their dismay when they went to preach in the natives' village –left with various of their household items.
The only fruit Otto could grow on the island was pineapples, which Otto loved and took pride in growing. However, whenever the pineapples began to ripen, the natives would steal them to the extent that Otto could never keep a ripe pineapple for himself. This he found was extremely frustrating, and he became angry with the natives. All during the seven-year period in which this took place, Otto preached the gospel to these natives, but never had a single conversion.
The more the natives stole, the angrier Otto became leading him to take drastic measures in order to protect the fruit such as flying in a German Shepherd dog from another missionary. This only further alienated the natives.
You see the natives understood that the fruit that nature bears belongs to no man and is therefor available for consumption by anyone.
In time Otto took a furlough and attended a conference on personal rights where he discovered why he was so frustrated. He realised that he had taken personal ownership of the pineapple garden and that the garden did not belong to him after all. After much soul searching, he gave his garden to God.
Soon the natives started having problems among their tribe and they discovered that Otto was the reason for their problems because he had given his garden to his God. The natives saw a correlation between what Otto had done and their own lives being affected by calamities in their village. Once Otto gave his garden to God, he no longer got angry and was free from worry. The natives started bringing him fruit from the garden because they didn't want any more calamities to affect them.
Otto then saw the “light” one day when a native said to him, "You must have become a Christian, Otto. You don't get angry anymore. We always wondered if we would ever meet a Christian." You see they had never associated Otto with the kind of person he was preaching about because his message did not line up with his lifestyle. Otto was embarrassed and humbled by this realisation.
At the end of seven years, he witnessed his first conversion, and many began coming to Christ once he fully gave his garden to God. The fruit grew so abundantly that Otto began exporting it and growing other types of fruit, such as bananas. His village became the most evangelized in the whole region, yet for seven years prior to that he had not one convert.
Otto realized something each of us must realize: To gain your life you must lose it, along with your possessions. It was only when he gave all his possessions to God that he became free from them. What is more God gave manifold to him once Otto had surrendered all and had given God complete ownership.
Do you have some possessions or worries that you need to surrender to God today? Let God have all that you have. Become a steward, not an owner. You will be surprised at how well God can take care of His possessions.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever
loses his life for My sake will find it. - Mat 10:39
And quoting James Elliot….
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose…”
So let us surrender to God what belongs to God!!!
Discussions afterwards involved:
Do we really have any right to that which God provides?
Wouldn’t surrendering give us the “peace which surpasses all understanding”?
Is God always in control?
How did Otto’s strategy stand up to the 4 pillars of mandate, message, model and power?
Note. James Elliot (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was an evangelical Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people through efforts known as Operation Auca.
For further MP3's relating Otto Koning's testaments go to the following link: http://www.freewebs.com/snakestory/pineapplestory.htm
Tuesday
REPORT BACK FROM INDIA & WITRIVIER - Saturday 8 May
Never a dull moment…. We were surprised by Danie and Ester who paid us a most unexpected visit, and are we glad they did! Also good to see Jaco Redelinghuis all the way from Pta.
First we had a report back form JJ and Aldi, who are back from their 2 week scouting trip to India. A cool 36° at night and 45° during the day, aircon when there is power…. They and their 2 daughters went to greet Swarmiji in Varanasi first, telling us the Ganges is so low that people are planting on the sandbanks in the river bed. They then went back to Delhi and from there set off to Chandigar. They met with Stephan and Irene, who were missionaries 4 four years until their church dropped them and then decided to remain in India. Stephan is now employed, attends to church life after hours and weekends and is not connected to modality in South Africa. JJ also met with Gotam, who is in the same vein as Swarmiji, experiencing conflict with a Westernised, institutionalised ‘Jesus’ and contextualizing ‘Christianity’ to the Indian worldview. Chandigar is an academic town where a lot of the students have westernized, however their families back home are still (mainly) culturally Hindu. (Toxic faith will lead to syncretism – as seen clearly in places like Mumbay). The 2 camps of Christianity are clearly visible, unfortunately, the cracks are already showing… JJ and Aldi indicated that they would like to go back.
After supper, Danie was relating the last 5 months in Witrivier, where he is studying at Africa School of Missions, so that their family can go to the Amara people group between Peru and Bolivia, after he qualifies in 3 years time. (They did Perspectives 3 years ago). He placed great emphasis on preparation, training, mentorship and understanding your calling specifically before even thinking of going anywhere, because you think you know a lot (front end effectiveness lessens considerably with the wrong/lack of tools). He and Ester considered going solo at one time and realised the error of that thinking. He emphasised that the right way to start missions, is to join an organisation with proper structure, opposed to shooting from the hip lone-ranger style. The focus is the issue of The Kingdom - the Holy Spirit is for your employment.
It was a real eye-opener to see sodality for real through Danie & Esther’s lives. We promised to go and visit them (next year) in Witrivier, G-w!
First we had a report back form JJ and Aldi, who are back from their 2 week scouting trip to India. A cool 36° at night and 45° during the day, aircon when there is power…. They and their 2 daughters went to greet Swarmiji in Varanasi first, telling us the Ganges is so low that people are planting on the sandbanks in the river bed. They then went back to Delhi and from there set off to Chandigar. They met with Stephan and Irene, who were missionaries 4 four years until their church dropped them and then decided to remain in India. Stephan is now employed, attends to church life after hours and weekends and is not connected to modality in South Africa. JJ also met with Gotam, who is in the same vein as Swarmiji, experiencing conflict with a Westernised, institutionalised ‘Jesus’ and contextualizing ‘Christianity’ to the Indian worldview. Chandigar is an academic town where a lot of the students have westernized, however their families back home are still (mainly) culturally Hindu. (Toxic faith will lead to syncretism – as seen clearly in places like Mumbay). The 2 camps of Christianity are clearly visible, unfortunately, the cracks are already showing… JJ and Aldi indicated that they would like to go back.
After supper, Danie was relating the last 5 months in Witrivier, where he is studying at Africa School of Missions, so that their family can go to the Amara people group between Peru and Bolivia, after he qualifies in 3 years time. (They did Perspectives 3 years ago). He placed great emphasis on preparation, training, mentorship and understanding your calling specifically before even thinking of going anywhere, because you think you know a lot (front end effectiveness lessens considerably with the wrong/lack of tools). He and Ester considered going solo at one time and realised the error of that thinking. He emphasised that the right way to start missions, is to join an organisation with proper structure, opposed to shooting from the hip lone-ranger style. The focus is the issue of The Kingdom - the Holy Spirit is for your employment.
It was a real eye-opener to see sodality for real through Danie & Esther’s lives. We promised to go and visit them (next year) in Witrivier, G-w!
Saturday
donuts and rabbits
Aha.... she's late... she's late!
Thank you Marlene for the donuts which kicked us off to a good start!
The topic was tackled with glee and the result was hugely to the extent of "Be Prepared to Educate Senders Any and Every Way You Can!"
People - even goers will let you down so we need to trust God in people, not the people.
Some of our group admitted to being scared of losing supporters due to the fact that they are not well educated to the life of goers... They feel lonely on this road, but educated senders would certainly solve this problem.
Basically, once a goer has supporters, its up to that goer to educated them and turn them into educated, effective and strategic senders.
Due to a family leaving for India the following day, we had an early dinner, and had social fellowship for the rest of the evening.
We just love being part of this group. Come and join us anytime you like.
Thank you Marlene for the donuts which kicked us off to a good start!
The topic was tackled with glee and the result was hugely to the extent of "Be Prepared to Educate Senders Any and Every Way You Can!"People - even goers will let you down so we need to trust God in people, not the people.
Some of our group admitted to being scared of losing supporters due to the fact that they are not well educated to the life of goers... They feel lonely on this road, but educated senders would certainly solve this problem.
Basically, once a goer has supporters, its up to that goer to educated them and turn them into educated, effective and strategic senders.
Due to a family leaving for India the following day, we had an early dinner, and had social fellowship for the rest of the evening.
We just love being part of this group. Come and join us anytime you like.
Monday
Hmmm ...what do you say?
What an interesting time we had…
Questions that arose were: Do we actually have the tools in our armory to be able to defend/proclaim that missions is the centrality of the Bible?
- What about answering the statement that gets thrown round being “charity begins at home”?
Is it complete here a home?
- What about the widows and orphans, what about the poor? Here we spoke a little about Skin Contact two.
Mercy Ministries here at home =Topline Whereas Cross-Cultural Missions = Bottomline
- Should everyone reach out to everyone/anyone? And
- Why did God wipe out the nations that would not turn to Him?
Noted too were the Old Testament Books of the Bible Esther, Jonah, Rahab, Ruth etc. that were people who took the blessing cross-culturally…
When we ‘go’ we learn a whole lot more about God. We always maintain that Cross-Cultural Missions is the thing that changes us more than the effect we have on the receiving culture. When we come to a closer understanding Of God and His Kingdom, we find that there is a unity that builds in the Body of Christ.
Tuesday
Top and Bottom Line Blessings
Facilitator: Llewelyn
We opened in prayer and each person shared about their last 2 weeks of kingdom related activities.
Llewelyn’s passport came through. He and Jenni are leaving for Vietnam on Monday 12 April for 5 weeks. The children will join them the last 2 weeks.
JJ, Aldi and the 2 girls are leaving for India on 18 April – 5 May. They have also been investigating different missionary training facilities to pursue the latter part of the year.
Every situation is so unique that there is no set path or pattern to follow. When you put all in God’s hands, He gets to decide where and when you go.
Anything that denies complete Lordship in every area of our lives, is toxic.
Top-line and Bottom-line blessings are terms coined by Don Richardson, who did a study on how many times the covenant is repeated verbatim, partly or references made to it: 398 (there are more if one expounds on it). The 6 top-line blessings are often used in different combinations or summaries of 6, but the bottom-line is always kept as it is - the blessing will always flow/go through/in you so that it can go cross-culturally. Bottom-line=cross cultural=missions. The only vehicle left to accomplish that is us.
To know the difference between top and bottom-line IS important - it draws the line between salvation gospel and kingdom gospel. If there is no difference, believers are warehoused.
We opened in prayer and each person shared about their last 2 weeks of kingdom related activities.
Llewelyn’s passport came through. He and Jenni are leaving for Vietnam on Monday 12 April for 5 weeks. The children will join them the last 2 weeks.
JJ, Aldi and the 2 girls are leaving for India on 18 April – 5 May. They have also been investigating different missionary training facilities to pursue the latter part of the year.
Every situation is so unique that there is no set path or pattern to follow. When you put all in God’s hands, He gets to decide where and when you go.
Anything that denies complete Lordship in every area of our lives, is toxic.
Top-line and Bottom-line blessings are terms coined by Don Richardson, who did a study on how many times the covenant is repeated verbatim, partly or references made to it: 398 (there are more if one expounds on it). The 6 top-line blessings are often used in different combinations or summaries of 6, but the bottom-line is always kept as it is - the blessing will always flow/go through/in you so that it can go cross-culturally. Bottom-line=cross cultural=missions. The only vehicle left to accomplish that is us.
To know the difference between top and bottom-line IS important - it draws the line between salvation gospel and kingdom gospel. If there is no difference, believers are warehoused.
Is it us that blesses the nations? Surely it is God through us with His plans and purposes. Otherwise we limit God by what we can and cannot do. As we co-operate and partner with God, we become 'successful'.
Thursday
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SENDER (CONTINUED)
Tonight we continued our discussion on the responsibility of the sender. This is such an interesting subject. Even if we are involved in co-ordinating or going we should still be sending and it is important that we take that role seriously. We need to see our relationship with our missionary as a partnership. We discussed what that involved. It is definitely not only finances and prayer. The sender needs to understand strategy (those past and present) even better than the goer does. He needs to walk with the missionary every step of the way and help the missionary to become as effective as possible. There are many ways of doing this. The number one thing that stood out for us is that we need to be educated senders and that requires taking up our responsibility and learning how to do that.
We also touched on message, model, mandate and power. One thing is certain and that is that we learn so much every time we get together.
We also touched on message, model, mandate and power. One thing is certain and that is that we learn so much every time we get together.
Monday
Saturday 6 March 2010
God, crime & violence in SA
When you lay your life down for total Lordship, God has the say where you live and under what circumstances, as His plans and purposes prevail. Looking at the last 400 year period (1600 – 2000) in SA history, our failure to respond to the Abrahamic Covenant of being a spiritual blessing to the nations, has resulted in ‘Involuntary going’ and ‘Invasion of those left behind’.
God uses Satan to achieve His purposes. But is there any justice and glory to be violated and sometimes die for money, jewelry, cell phones, cars etc. Clearly not, so what is the point? We looked at the rape of Hettie Britz and how she has overcome the violence to her body. She remains to victoriously represent the Kingdom of God on earth and be the hands and feet of Jesus. He overcame for us and says that we can also do the same in Him, trusting that all works together for the good.
§ God is in control of everything
§ His will (to establish His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven, among all nations) is clearly revealed in how we need to respond
§ God is actively involved all the time
When you lay your life down for total Lordship, God has the say where you live and under what circumstances, as His plans and purposes prevail. Looking at the last 400 year period (1600 – 2000) in SA history, our failure to respond to the Abrahamic Covenant of being a spiritual blessing to the nations, has resulted in ‘Involuntary going’ and ‘Invasion of those left behind’.
God uses Satan to achieve His purposes. But is there any justice and glory to be violated and sometimes die for money, jewelry, cell phones, cars etc. Clearly not, so what is the point? We looked at the rape of Hettie Britz and how she has overcome the violence to her body. She remains to victoriously represent the Kingdom of God on earth and be the hands and feet of Jesus. He overcame for us and says that we can also do the same in Him, trusting that all works together for the good.
§ God is in control of everything
§ His will (to establish His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven, among all nations) is clearly revealed in how we need to respond
§ God is actively involved all the time
THE SENDER
We got together on Saturday night with the smell of paint hanging freshly from the walls. After sharing briefly about our week we launched into the topic. Pauline came well armed with her research. Jean-Pierre said that the role of the sender has unanswered questions. 200 years ago it was the goer that the church had unanswered questions about. Thereafter it was the co-ordinator. Now it is the sender. People can see the value of the goer and the co-ordinator in that they can see what they are doing and they thus understand the need for supporting them. The role of the sender however, is sadly undervalued/misunderstood. It has a lot more depth to it than we understand. The question that got us all thinking and still thinking on is:
If a sender sows a 100% of his income into the kingdom then what does he live on? Is this a possible scenario?
We spoke quite a bit about the value of the missionary pushing back to the church and how this plays out in our lives and that of the church. In speaking about this we realised how the role of the sender today is still "under construction". We haven't quite grasped the depth of it yet and what God intends it to be. Phew, this is so interesting. We once again tapped into the four elements that help us to find our calling. World christian prayer life, caravan of people, putting shoulder to the wheel and the telescope of vision. Abraham's first test once he received his call was Sodom and Gomorrah. Your world christian prayer life is your spiritual foundation or your pillar. He passed the test when he "stood in the gap" for Sodom and Gomorrah (a city he didin't even like). Hmm, food for thought. No-one is exempt from their responsibility to courageously risk their resources for the Kingdom of God.
Thursday
FAITH VERSUS DOCTORS
We started off the evening with sharing. We spoke about bringing up our children and preparing them for adulthood. We heard some interesting testimonies regarding this. We agreed that it is important to include our children in everything with regards to our journey. This includes prayer, important decisions which should be made as a family, work, etc etc. Our children should feel that they are part of "the calling" and should also have a responsibility towards that.
We broke for a time of fellowship and dinner and returned for the discussion on faith versus doctors. We also touched on medical aids and insurance. We shared our experiences with each other. Some of us had definitely experienced supernatural healing whilst others acknowledged that they would not be alive but for medical intervention. We as human beings like to be self sufficient with back up plans, medical aid, insurance etc. It makes us feel "safe". This is an illusion though because we are not in control and never will be. At the end of the day we are in our maker's hands and He is the one in whom we should be trusting.
We have all felt our faith "fail" at some time or another in life and here we run to doctors but it is not really important. God will use whatever He chooses to use to heal us even if it is a doctor. He took Rita to Malaysia so that doctor's there could heal her shoulders. He will meet us where we are at and provide whatever we need when we need it, be it through divine healing or medical intervention. It is all part of our journey. He uses all these things to teach us to trust in Him and to take us through whatever trial comes our way. Each time we come out of another trial, we at some stage will acknowledge that our faith in Him as our source, provider, our all in all has once again grown a bit more.
Isaiah 43: 1-3 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, your are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not cover your head. When you walk through the fire your will not be burned, the flames will not set you alight. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your saviour.
Friday
DISCIPLESHIP = FOLLOWER, BELIEVER, STUDENT, APOSTLE
Discipleship = follower, believer, student, imitators of the teacher, apostle
Yeshua said in Luke 14:26/27 that, whoever doesn’t take up his own cross, cannot be His disciple. Therefore the key to becoming a follower of Yeshua is to be disciple-shipped. To compare and unify the diverse discipleship programs, which are designed to control and harness people’s energy to meet the goals of that specific leadership, should have been easy, if it was based on a clear biblical pattern.
Discipleship is the internal engine that empowers the whole Body (to do what?)
John 17:6 Yeshua gives 6 points that creates an environment but not a process to follow. Mostly people think being discipled is to meet God (improved and righteous living) and that bearing fruit in church, and eventually heaven, is the end goal. However, reading further, we see that each person has a role to play, a life to surrender, a purpose to strive for in the Kingdom of God. The greater picture is God preparing a bride for His Son consisting of every tribe, tongue, people and nation. So, leading a prostrate life before Him so that the people/nations can be redeemed is the joy set before us. It’s a matter of glorifying God, not being (and staying) saved.
Discipleship is the input part of the process of caring, sharing, growing, correcting and honing, so that people can become mature for the work of the ministry – in the kingdom, not only in the church. When missions become the major output as a result of mature disciples, then the Kingdom is established on earth through people’s lives. Often fellowships are birthed out of someone’s good idea instead of coming to life because of the need that exists in the battlefield of frontline missions.
People basically grow through stress dynamics. One can’t turn a child into a soldier. Through the natural steps, like spiral dynamics, maturity comes about through a process. If you are sincerely interested in this growth spiral that cuts across any institution and leadership ideology, contact the writer please. It is backed by biblical scripture and carries the signature of God Himself who invented spiral dynamics as seen in DNA, eardrum, water funneling out of a bottle etc.
Is every person intended to be become a disciple and lay their lives down as the most basic of pre-requisites? Who determines how mature you are as a disciple and where the process stops (or starts for that matter)? Can real apostles fix the spiral?
Dog het gedink dat iemand die blog doen, net soos om die veer te plant….
Yeshua said in Luke 14:26/27 that, whoever doesn’t take up his own cross, cannot be His disciple. Therefore the key to becoming a follower of Yeshua is to be disciple-shipped. To compare and unify the diverse discipleship programs, which are designed to control and harness people’s energy to meet the goals of that specific leadership, should have been easy, if it was based on a clear biblical pattern.
Discipleship is the internal engine that empowers the whole Body (to do what?)
John 17:6 Yeshua gives 6 points that creates an environment but not a process to follow. Mostly people think being discipled is to meet God (improved and righteous living) and that bearing fruit in church, and eventually heaven, is the end goal. However, reading further, we see that each person has a role to play, a life to surrender, a purpose to strive for in the Kingdom of God. The greater picture is God preparing a bride for His Son consisting of every tribe, tongue, people and nation. So, leading a prostrate life before Him so that the people/nations can be redeemed is the joy set before us. It’s a matter of glorifying God, not being (and staying) saved.
Discipleship is the input part of the process of caring, sharing, growing, correcting and honing, so that people can become mature for the work of the ministry – in the kingdom, not only in the church. When missions become the major output as a result of mature disciples, then the Kingdom is established on earth through people’s lives. Often fellowships are birthed out of someone’s good idea instead of coming to life because of the need that exists in the battlefield of frontline missions.
People basically grow through stress dynamics. One can’t turn a child into a soldier. Through the natural steps, like spiral dynamics, maturity comes about through a process. If you are sincerely interested in this growth spiral that cuts across any institution and leadership ideology, contact the writer please. It is backed by biblical scripture and carries the signature of God Himself who invented spiral dynamics as seen in DNA, eardrum, water funneling out of a bottle etc.
Is every person intended to be become a disciple and lay their lives down as the most basic of pre-requisites? Who determines how mature you are as a disciple and where the process stops (or starts for that matter)? Can real apostles fix the spiral?
Dog het gedink dat iemand die blog doen, net soos om die veer te plant….
Monday
SERVANTHOOD VERSUS CALLING 6 February 2010
The meeting opened in prayer.
Mario did an excellent job at chairing the meeting to keep the flavor to output feedback, when asking each what significance was there in their past week. JP read glimpses out of Ansie’s last letter and we are all astounded at her accelerated growth in her daily, obligatory disciple-shipping activities. She asks whether, Jesus using parables, actually makes it easier or more difficult to understand what He meant to say?
One of the viewpoints about ‘my calling’ is that it is birthed out of a church system that is also responsible for all the other toxic faith issues, and therefore needs to be re-looked at, otherwise it is just again all about you and getting everything to work towards your perception. Be at the right place at the right time and allow God to use you. In laying down your life and expectations, God will work your calling for you. We can see that God, so to speak, goes out of Hs way to show each one of us, how uniquely He is able to make things happen, when you stick your neck out for Him.
Is it ok to serve another man’s vision in the mean time, when you don’t have a clear cut one yourself yet?
SERVANTHOOD
What is in it for me? Selfish (immature)
What is in it for them? Poor etc. (servant/childish-son)
What is in it for the Kingdom? God (partner/co-ruler)
Instead of having a ping-pong ball (shotgun) serving approach, focus on a couple of things and get behind someone that is already operating in the Kingdom. Remember the 4 ways we use to help us towards serving in the kingdom: (1) stay with a caravan of people going in the kingdom direction (2) put shoulder to the wheel (3) telescope vision (4) world view prayer life. Often your calling is only revealed when you are in servant hood and Kingdom driven.
It is very dangerous to follow your gifting. Your gifting will come out of your calling NOT for your calling to follow your gifting. In serving you can use your gifting but you don’t serve because of it. Kingdom has to drive servant hood, not gifting. The depth of your servant hood, can be indicative of how far you are willing to take it in the Kingdom.
The blue blocks (worldview) prioritise: 1st relationship, 2nd partner with God (where to serve, purpose, direction), 3rd find your resources with God. In order to adapt/adopt to an unfamiliar culture, tent making can be used for credibility/acceptance, to model/demonstrate, to identify at that time. Becoming all things to all men so that some might be saved, should be our attitude towards the mission field. However, it cannot work back toward the church the same way, because it compromises the mission’s sole purpose, to bring change back to the church in the first place
Mario did an excellent job at chairing the meeting to keep the flavor to output feedback, when asking each what significance was there in their past week. JP read glimpses out of Ansie’s last letter and we are all astounded at her accelerated growth in her daily, obligatory disciple-shipping activities. She asks whether, Jesus using parables, actually makes it easier or more difficult to understand what He meant to say?
One of the viewpoints about ‘my calling’ is that it is birthed out of a church system that is also responsible for all the other toxic faith issues, and therefore needs to be re-looked at, otherwise it is just again all about you and getting everything to work towards your perception. Be at the right place at the right time and allow God to use you. In laying down your life and expectations, God will work your calling for you. We can see that God, so to speak, goes out of Hs way to show each one of us, how uniquely He is able to make things happen, when you stick your neck out for Him.
Is it ok to serve another man’s vision in the mean time, when you don’t have a clear cut one yourself yet?
SERVANTHOOD
What is in it for me? Selfish (immature)
What is in it for them? Poor etc. (servant/childish-son)
What is in it for the Kingdom? God (partner/co-ruler)
Instead of having a ping-pong ball (shotgun) serving approach, focus on a couple of things and get behind someone that is already operating in the Kingdom. Remember the 4 ways we use to help us towards serving in the kingdom: (1) stay with a caravan of people going in the kingdom direction (2) put shoulder to the wheel (3) telescope vision (4) world view prayer life. Often your calling is only revealed when you are in servant hood and Kingdom driven.
It is very dangerous to follow your gifting. Your gifting will come out of your calling NOT for your calling to follow your gifting. In serving you can use your gifting but you don’t serve because of it. Kingdom has to drive servant hood, not gifting. The depth of your servant hood, can be indicative of how far you are willing to take it in the Kingdom.
The blue blocks (worldview) prioritise: 1st relationship, 2nd partner with God (where to serve, purpose, direction), 3rd find your resources with God. In order to adapt/adopt to an unfamiliar culture, tent making can be used for credibility/acceptance, to model/demonstrate, to identify at that time. Becoming all things to all men so that some might be saved, should be our attitude towards the mission field. However, it cannot work back toward the church the same way, because it compromises the mission’s sole purpose, to bring change back to the church in the first place
Tuesday
What is discipleship exactly?
Gathered together were eighteen of us, two new faces joined the pack which was a good thing. During our weekly personal feedback, it was amazing to see the various ways in which God is so apparent in each of our lives.
Discipleship needs and requirements and suggestions...
JP opened the floor for a ‘workshop cum brainstorming’ style meeting. All had input as to what our expectations are as to what a discipleship course should entail. And what exactly does it mean to be ‘saved’.
Thank you Marlene for being such a diligent Scribe
The issue of the Lordship of Jesus Christ played a huge role throughout the discussion.
The challenge was put to all present to go home and for the week after next week’s gathering (13 Feb) present a draft of a discipleship program that we have developed. Or, at least to attempt to set up a “process structure” for discipling new believers into a Kingdom Lifestyle.
We are rather psyched as to what will unveil next Saturday.
So … make sure you’re here for the next installment!
And remember - dinner is always a veritable feast on a Saturday at the KE Base
Annie Oakleys for all!!!
Annie Oakleys for all!!!
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