HillSide Methodist Community Church Blog

"Escape From Egypt" Introduction Video to Preaching Theme

2012-01-20T14:12:00.000+02:00

In life we are always journeying, even when we are sitting still.

For this next series at Hillside entitled “Escape from Egypt”, like the Israelites we will see life from their perspective, how was it for them to leave Egypt, their places of oppression and control. We will ask what was it like for Moses to lead these people and how do you know the call is from God? What events or signals are coincidences, and what are God signs?

Life seems to be determined by things / people beyond our control (by Egyptian rule). In life lots of things are out of our control but do you feel oppressed by them? In the midst of this oppression of God’s people Moses receives a call from God. Events in our lives are God signals, these signs intrigue, frighten and excite us, they appear on the periphery of our lives while we keep the sheep. Keeping sheep is monotonous, drudgery. It is at this point of bondage in the brickyard that Moses story and God’s story intersect.

Join us at Nobel Primary School on Sundays @ 9am for the next four weeks as we share the journey...

22nd Jan' Bondage in the Brickyard
29th Jan' At the Sea Shore
5th Feb' Wilderness Wanderings
12th Feb' Living in Canaan

IS A LICENSE TO DRIVE - A LICENSE TO KILL?

2011-12-14T12:03:00.000+02:00

HERE'S A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO CONSIDER:-

If Humphreys has been found quilty of murder,

then anyone who jumps a stop street or railway crossing

should be guilty of attempted murder.

YES? / NO?

WHERE WAS GOD?

2011-03-24T10:35:00.000+02:00

Question: "Does God allow natural disasters,

i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

(Taken from: www.gotquestions.org/natural-disasters)

Their Answer: Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? Tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the 2011 earthquake/tsunami near Japan cause many people to question God’s goodness.

It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17).

Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16).

Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people?

For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant.

What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

God of love,

Be with the people of Japan as they cope with this earthquake,

God of peace

Be with those in fear of aftershocks and tsunami,

God of hope

Be with those who grieve and those waiting for news

God of all

Be with the island nations at the mercy of the sea,

God of the Church

Be with your people as they show your love and care.

Deal tenderly now and be with these fragile people.

Amen

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

2011-01-21T09:36:00.000+02:00

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget enough money for groceries each week. Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room. He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function. Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished, and eyebrows groomed During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches, have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:30 am.A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, doctor's name, the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

What a Teacher Makes

2010-09-01T10:53:00.000+02:00

Food for thought - an email making the rounds which is very relevant considering the public servants strike crippling SA at the moment.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Before she could reply, he added : “It’s life’s experiences that teach the kids things”!

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Games or televisionYou want to know what I make?

(She paused again to look at each and every person at the table):I make kids wonder. I make them question.I make them apologize and mean it.I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.I teach them how to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.I make them read, read, read and read some more.I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.I make my classroom a place where all my children feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.

You want to know what I make?I MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What do you make Mr. CEO?

His jaw dropped; he went silent.

Should environmental issues be a priority focus of the Church?

2010-08-02T10:07:00.000+02:00

Various environmental ‘agendas’ - Which is closest to your view and why?

a) For our use and benefit: the think here is: “as long as we keep it in reasonable condition,

that’s okay!”
b) Entirely for our pleasure and use: a view that we cannot make a difference and therefore we

should enjoy ourselves, regarding stewardshio with God as the absent landlord.
c) Preservation of Nature at all costs; this includes human cost and lifestyle.

d) Humans all important- environment all important. We are custodians of nature but need to

protect human beings while keeping the environment in balance to preserve our planet and

all its residents.

Questions to debate:

a) Should we kill poachers; is human life not more important that animal life?
b) What if an endangered animal is eating an endangered plant?
c) There is a myth that vultures brains give wisdom and foresight, so it will help you choose the

lotto numbers or which horse to back in the Durban July. This is endangering vultures as a

species; what can or should we do?
d) Should we go back to cotton nappies instead of disposable nappies (or use bio-degradable

disposable nappies which are 3 times more expensive)?

Reading Romans 8: vs 18-27 (NIV)
FUTURE GLORY
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of god to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of god.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Will God ask on judgement day “Why did you not do anything about these issues?”
Are there any suggestions of projects we should be involved in as HillSide?

The debate will continue...

2010-06-04T09:00:00.000+02:00

You may have got this in your inbox?

This is literally a 'church signs' debate, that was played out in a Southern US town, between Our Lady of Martyrs Catholic Church, and Cumberland Presbyterian, a fundamentalist church. From top to bottom shows you the response and counter-response over time. The Catholics are displaying a much better sense of humor! You get the impression that the Presbyterians are actually taking this seriously and are getting a bit upset...

Do dogs go to heaven?

2010-06-04T08:46:00.000+02:00

Do animals (our loving dogs) go to Heaven?

I say no, other's say yes.

So what do the scriptures say?

Submitted by Jennifer Thomas

Biblical Quotes

2010-05-25T09:58:00.000+02:00

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's “funny”, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend).He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Forever your fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 33

2010-04-06T10:40:00.000+02:00

Day 4 of the quest for simplicity and a deeper commitment to giving. The fourth outward expression of simplicity is to "refuse to be propagandised by the custodians of modern gadgetry." I love this one. If you've taken the time to watch the short movie I referred you to in earlier blogs (http://www.storyofstuff.com/) you will have come accross the terms planned and perceived obsolescence.

This is a marketer's dream - basically stuff is made to break in a certain number of years (planned obsolescence) so that you will have to buy a new one. Of course, it can't be done in too short a space of time, otherwise you will undermine the consumer's loyalty to the manufacturer. You know how the washing machine always breaks a couple of weeks after its warranty has expired? That's planned obsolescence.

Then there is perceived obsolesence. This is when marketer's tell you that what you own is not good enough because the latest version has more buttons, is faster, makes ice, or generally makes your life a whole lot easier, simpler, sexier or faster. Same goes for fashion - this style of jacket is in this season, that one is in next season.

Planned and perceived obsolesence drive capital accumulation - the accumulation of more and more wealth. They also drive environmental degradation - where do you think that cell phone (not to mention all of its accessories that don't fit your new model) go to? That's right - into the rubbish dump. And are they biodegradable? Most certainly not!

So not lusting after that new phone, TV, sound system, PVR, HDTV, 3DTV, HDDVD or ABXYZ (?) is as much about our own spiritual freedom as it is about making sure that we care for our environment.

The other thing about planned and perceived obsolescence is that it drives inequality. By buying into the need to buy some new gadget or fashion accessory everytime a new one comes out, we are focusing on what we want and not on what other people in the world need.

And this brings me to the fact that today is the second tithe before easter for me - it's payday again (yippee!) and I promised to look at the social implications of tithing. As I said on day 8, tithing asks us to step out of what we need and want and to give a portion of our income to what others need.

On Day 8 I looked at the personal reasons behind tithing. Today I want to look at the social implications. In this day and age of accumulation where we are constantly feeding our own securities with new stuff tithing sharlply focuses our attention on the broader social world and what God desires for his kingdom (that's us, not what happens when we die).

You see, prosperity theology teaches that if we give we will be blessed and the more we give the more we will be blessed. I have already talked about my problems with how this has been interprested (see Day 8). But from a social perspective this makes perfect sense.

It's not about God blessing only those who give (horrible theology that as far as I am concerned undermines our understanding of God's goodness). It's about the fact that giving allows God's will to be done on earth. You see, IF we all gave what we could afford to give and IF the church used it as God intended (i.e. not on fancy cars and buildings) then we immediately free up money from our own (usually selfish) will to be used as God will. Imagine a world where every person gave something of what they earned with the intention that it should make the world a better and more equitable place. And imagine a world where the church was fully committed to that same ideal. I believe that if we got that right then we wouldn't have nearly as much inequality and poverty. We wouldn't be faced with beggars on the side of the road. We wouldn't be faced with feelings of guilt as we turn our eyes away from them. Because there would be enough money to go around to look after ALL of God's children.

Lesson 33: So you see prosperity theology does work, but in a very different way to how we've come to think it works. God doesn't bless only those who give. God blesses all of us because when we give we are providing the means to for God's will to be done.

So do you really need that new HDTV or that new pair of boots. Or do you need to see God's will be done. How you answer that question might affect how much you put in the offetory bag this week. So be careful...

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 32

2010-04-06T10:32:00.000+02:00

Day 3 and the third outward expression of simplicity is to develop a habit of giving things away. Richard Foster says, "if you find yourself becoming attached to some posesion, consider giving it to someone who needs it or wants it."

Hmmm... This is tough. At Christmas time I always think its wonderful to ask children to give one of their favourite toys to a child who needs it more. It's an amazing lesson of giving. But asking myself to do it was a lot tougher. Day 32's lesson came up just after a conversation with a friend about a Nooma DVD that she wants to borrow. Everytime someone asks me if they can borrow it I get a bit uppity and nervous about it never finding its way back to me. I absolutely love the DVD (recommending it to everyone - Nooma Fire). So it's strange how this outward expression came up just after this conversation.

So here's the deal - Amy, I am giving you my Nooma DVD and I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me. Enjoy it!

Lesson 32: Giving away things we have become attached frees us from worry.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 31

2010-04-06T10:29:00.000+02:00

Day two of the grand ten day quest to push the boundaries on simplicity and giving:

The second outward expression is to reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. This might include food items, substances that are more commonly associated with addiction such as drugs and alcohol, as well as THINGS. The reality is we are all addicted to something. I had a long think about this one. What am I addicted to?

I’m not a marketers’ dream when it comes to gadgets, nor with make up and other cosmetics. As much as I love a glass of wine, I wouldn’t say I’m addicted (if anyone disagrees please inform me). So what am I addicted to? There’s the clothes issue but I’ve been dealing with that under the first outward expression so I won’t bore you with more on that.

Isn’t it funny how God points you in the right direction when you are struggling with something? As I was doing some soul searching I was having a conversation with two colleagues. One mentioned how she had to clear out her bookshelf and give away some of her books. I was horrified! Give away books? I have a budget line item in my monthly budget for books. And I carefully select which book I will buy each month. I hate the idea of a library because it means I can’t keep the book after I’ve read it. I am incredibly attached to my books, which are neatly sorted out on my bookshelf into categories – spiritual books (sadly the smallest shelf), African literature, literature from the developing world, classics and miscellaneous.

So my addiction is... books!

So I guess my challenge is to give away some of my books. I have little problem parting with the ones that are on the miscellaneous shelves. But the other shelves? I can’t see myself being able to do this. It would break my heart. And yet that is what it means to be pushing the boundaries. So this evening I will be going through my bookshelf, doing the easy bit and placing all of the miscellaneous ones into a box and the trying to push myself to part with some of my more treasured books. I still have to think of who to give them to though. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

Lesson 31: Anything that produces an addiction in us to some extent limits our connection with God.

40 Das 40 Gifts Day 30

2010-04-06T10:26:00.000+02:00

Today marks ten days until the end of lent and since I failed so spectacularly last week and based on comments on the blog, I’ve decided to up it a notch. The last ten days will be dedicated to exploring the ten outward expressions of simplicity according to Richard Foster and to pushing the boundaries of my giving.

So the first outward expression of simplicity is to buy things for their usefulness only. John Wesley said “As for apparel, I buy the most lasting and in general the plainest I can. I buy no furniture but what is necessary and cheap.”

This outward expression of simplicity goes to the heart of our consumer culture. Our culture is about buying more and more and more things that are for the most part completely unnecessary – gadgets and fashions being the main marketers’ dreams. I am at the moment thinking of upgrading my computer for instance. But thinking about it, I really only want to do it because I like the look of a smaller version. My computer is slowing down and I will have to look at it in the future, but for now it operates perfectly well.

But the rubber hit the road here on the clothes issue. This seems to be a problem for me. I’m not sure if you agree with me but winter is looming in the air. As I was walking through Woolworths I noticed how many nice winter clothes there are. And I had Richard Foster’s words playing over in my head “buy things for their usefulness only.” Well, if that’s the case I really only need to buy some warm shoes. I have everything else for winter. I can’t tell you how tough this was. As I walked through Woolworths I was just imagining how that jersey or that jacket would make me look, what it would say about me. And then I had to bring myself back to reality.

But here was my solution: I decided that instead of buying some winter garb for me, I would buy some children’s winter garb for the children who stand with their mothers on a couple of corners in my neighbourhood. These children definitely could do with some warm clothes.

So from now on I will need to be walking through malls going "buy it for its usefulness only..."

Lesson 30: Freeing ourselves from what we are told we need helps us identify with how much God has given us.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 28 & 29

2010-04-06T10:23:00.000+02:00

I guess the revelation of the past few days has helped e get back on track and not to throw everything out of the window.

Things got a little better over the past few days. I’ve been more aware of the need to step out of my own concerns and self absorption to see the needs around me. I’ve found myself initially shaking my head at beggars as is my usual habit and then rethinking that reaction and leaning down to grab a coin or a small note. The appreciation makes it all worth it and reaffirms the fact that when we reach out to others our own troubles and concerns fade away, in part because they simply seem less significant and in part because you can’t escape the joy of giving.

I haven’t given anything monumental, nor have I had any monumental revelations. I’m simply enjoying once again committing myself to giving and to seeking God’s guidance in these decisions. I still haven’t cleared out the clothes cupboard as promised. However, I am gearing up for the last ten days of lent in which I plan to go big and explore Richard Foster’s ten outward expressions of simplicity.

So I’m afraid there are no deep lessons and amazing revelations. But I would like to share these two lessons with you as I have renewed my commitment to giving and rediscovered the joy in it.

Lesson 28: Giving is a gift to be enjoyed - as soon as you feel like you have to do it, it's not a gift.
Lesson 29: Giving helps us to receive more joyfully

40 days 40 Gifts Days 23 - 27

2010-04-06T10:04:00.000+02:00

At some points this week I seriously considered calling off this 40 Days and 40 Gifts thing. I have really felt that I've failed myself and all of you who have been reading this blog. You see, over the past couple of days I have monumentally failed in my giving endeavours. I have not given a gift for the past 5 days. The reason for this, I think, lies in the fact that I have been utterly self absorbed for the past couple of days. Don’t get me wrong – I am no longer berating myself for this (although I did at the time) - because reflecting on this failure has led me to rather a profound realisation about the nature of God, and particularly about the nature of my relationship with God. So on the one hand I am bummed about missing out on so many opportunities to give and to learn, but at the same time am celebrating how God can still teach me in my failures (perhaps even more so). So what did I learn?

I’ve been reading The Shack by William P Young. It’s been recommended to me a number of times and I’ve thus far succesfully avoided reading it. I tend to avoid books that people rave about because ultimately I find myself disappointed. I can’t give you a review just yet as I’m only half way through but I have found myself wondering why this book has entered my life at this time in particular. You see since I’d been avoiding reading it, it seems quite strange that I would find myself drawn to reading it at this time of my life and at this point in the Lentern journey (I’m a firm believer in books finding their way into your life at the right time). Up until today it didn’t seem to have any significance for this aspect of my spiritual growth i.e. it didn’t have anything to do with simplicity and generosity.

I won’t give the plot away but there is a seen where the main character – Mack – is having a conversation with Sarayu (the way he sees the Holy Spirit). And I’ll quote:
“I can see now that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determinded to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil.” Mack sighed deeply. “Such truth in that.” Sarayu said gently. “Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a good part of you does not want to see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.”

Whether it’s our need to define what is right and wrong on our own terms, or whether its our desire to provide for ourselves, or gather more things (what we think we need or deserve or will make us look better), by depending on ourselves we “allow ourselves to play God in our independence.” We seek to do it for ourselves instead of trusting the goodness of God.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we should all give up our jobs and wait for manna from heaven. What I am saying is that this insane need to push ourselves to work longer hours and earn more money and buy more things is a symptom of us trying to play God. We play into our fears that tomorrow we will not be provided for.

There is another beautiful scene in this book where Mack is now talking with Jesus who has just told Mack that they will be walking to the other side of the lake – Peter style - on the water. Mack is justifiably alarmed at the prospect of walking on water but nevertheless decides to go with the flow (so to speak). He hesitates at the edge of the pier. Jesus says to him “Peter had the same problem: How to take that first step.” He asks Mack what he’s afraid of and Mack says, “That I might look like a fool, that you’re playing games with me and that I’ll sink.” Jesus says, that’s the problem with imagination – we spend a great deal of time worrying about what might happen in the future. But it’s hardly ever based on fact and most notably, what we imagine hardly ever involves God.

We are running around with crazy stress and ridiculous working hours and far too much to do, trying to secure our futures. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen in the future. How wonderful would it be to stop such an insane lust for independence – to not worry about what tomorrow holds, to not worry if I will be provided for, to not have to work weekends.

This week I learned many things. The reason I didn’t give this week was because of my insane lust for independence. Because I was playing God in my life – working like crazy to meet deadlines and to prove to everyone that I could do it. Because of my fear of what might happen tomorrow if I didn’t. Not once did I pause to consider God’s role in my life and what living in his goodness might mean. Not once did I put my faith in God and say, you know best – take over.

Lesson 23 – 27 (it was a big lesson): I learned that chasing after money, whether its rooted in a need for security in the future, or in a need to demonstrate who I am to others (through possessions or through bragging about how stressed I am and how hard I work) is a symptom of the fact that I am playing God.

How wonderful would it be if we could have faith enough to take God’s hand and step onto the water of his caretaking?

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 22

2010-04-06T09:58:00.000+02:00

Surprise! I love giving surprises and I love being surprised. Last night I gave Beert a surprise birthday party. I invited his very close friends around for dinner (only his very close friends since I don’t have space in my house to host too many more people than that). Beert arrived at my house and was (GLEE) very surprised.

It was a night of good food and great conversation and much reminiscing between the boys.

What lesson did I learn? No great spiritual lessons here just this,

Lesson 22: Giving gifts generates happiness in others and in ourselves. Spread the joy.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 21

2010-03-25T09:47:00.000+02:00

Today is Dikwankwetla day. That means that I get to give a little time and a little skill in making a library an inviting place for young children at Sikwankwetla school in Soweto. Giving this time is in many ways easy for me since I love reading, and I love books and I love the idea of making those things available to young children who would otherwise have little opportunity to develop a love of reading.

So today I roped Beert in and we went to fetch a whole lot of broken down cupboard doors that will now be turned into shelves for the library.

What struck me about this moment – and this is a lesson in simplicity – is the resourcefulness of the school we are working with. If I had pulled those cupboards out I probably would have simply chucked the wood out. After all it was a little warped, they were uneven lengths, the rats had been living in it and it had so many nails in it that it was going to take ages to get it looking halfway decent. And yet the school had insisted on keeping the wood in case they needed it, which is just as well because we don’t have the budget to buy new shelves for the school.

Somehow every time I visit the school I am overwhelmed by a sense of warmth. The school grows its own veggies with which it feeds the children daily, it makes do with the few classrooms it has – many of them are missing windows and desks, and the teachers are so dedicated and are so excited about meeting us on a Saturday to help with upgrading the library. It is truly inspiring and something we could all learn a lot from.

Perhaps this is why Jesus tells us that the poor shall inherit the earth, because they really know how to care for it.

Lesson 21: We don’t know the value of stuff until we place ourselves in a situation where there is very little stuff.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 18 - 20

2010-03-24T09:20:00.000+02:00

I’m still doing the giving little things thing at the moment. And funnily enough I’m finding spiritual revelation even in those little things, mainly because I’m reflecting on my lack of willingness to step up to the plate on the bigger gifts.

This was all revealed to me in a rather tense week of reflection and worry. Last week I heard that I have received a scholarship that will allow me to give up work and study full time for the next 2 years towards my PhD. This was wonderful news of course and I did celebrate it with family. But this week reality hit as I received the contract which stipulated exactly how many hours I could work (12 a week) and at what rate (significantly less than what I am earning now). So basically I was faced with the reality of having to take a serious cut in my standard of living – something anyone else in my boat would have seen as a willing sacrifice to make for the chance at studying full time again. Not me, I have spent the past three days stressing about how I am going to meet my monthly expenses and obligations, and (yes I hate to admit it) how I am going to tell my friends that I can’t come out for that cocktail and I may not be able to join you on that dive trip this year.

So here I was faced with the real dilemma – will God provide for me? Like he does for the sparrows and the flowers (Matthew 6)? And I hate to admit that I found myself seriously lacking in the department of faith on this one. If I couldn’t do something to make sure I was earning enough money to cover my expenses how on earth was God going to provide for me?

But it seems his blessings really do abound. Without my expecting it, things have fallen into place. Somehow my discussions with the scholarship office and my boss (I had to resign from my job) went really well and as it turns out I will not be in the horrible financial position I thought I was going to be. I will have less money coming into my account than previously but it won’t be significantly less.

So there are a couple of lessons here (since we are covering a couple of days):
Lesson 18: When we are faced with the real prospect of financial woes we realise that we are not in control of everything. God has bigger plans.

Lesson 19: I can’t help reflecting on the fact that I was worried about a slight loss in earnings when so many people have absolutely nothing – which just goes to show how when we are tied to money, we don’t necessarily allow our best to shine through – no wonder Jesus equated the love of money with Mammon.

Lesson 20: God blesses, even when we don’t have faith. He blesses undeservedly. Which is what grace is I guess

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 17

2010-03-24T09:19:00.001+02:00

Funny how God sends things to read when we choose to focus on something. I lecture on Thursday evenings and last Thursday I picked up an article that the previous lecturer had left in the venue. It’s entitled “Posessions and Extended Self” by Russell Belk and was written in 1988. In it he writes “Our fragile sense of self needs support, and this we get by having and possessing things because, to a large degree, we are what we have and possess.” He goes on to make a 21 page argument about how we are “the sum of our possessions.” Granted it was published in the Journal of Consumer Research but they published it! I was initially astounded. But then I started thinking about the truth of his words.

Think about yesterday’s blog in which I admit to the fact that I buy clothes, not based on how useful they are or how much I need them, but on what they say about me. Our clothes are an expression of our person-ality. Even if we don’t wear wildly over the top clothes, what we choose to wear is still an expression of who we are. The same goes for our houses. I (half) bought a house last year and spent many hours considering what this small space would say about me. I didn’t want to invite people around until I had the right pictures hanging and the right bits and bobs on my bookshelf. Don’t get me wrong, I love the space I have created for myself but that doesn’t change the fact that my possessions are an expression of who I am. That is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, but what struck me about this article is that so often we come to define ourselves only by our possessions and not by our acts. And I think that in part drives our need to consume consume consume. And then we forget about the other things that fill and bless our lives. Did you know that when 9/11 happened in America, President Bush (oh he of so much sage advice) advised the people of America to deal with their grief by… wait for it… shopping! Not spending time with one another, not crying or remembering, but by shopping. So perhaps Belk was spot on 22 years ago.

LESSON 17: We need to find our sense of self in God, not in what we own.

I know there is certainly a kernel of truth in it for me. Something I don’t really like to admit. Got to get to that wardrobe clean out…

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 16

2010-03-24T09:19:00.000+02:00

In my last blog I spoke about the gift of time. But I have to ask myself if giving time made mine disappear? What happened between Day 15 and today? Time seems to have vanished. So my apologies that there have been such delays in updating the blog. I intend to catch up today.

I must say that as I head towards the halfway mark of Lent I’m finding this gift thing harder and harder. Perhaps it’s partly because I put pressure on myself to give gifts that are a little out of the ordinary (i.e. not something I would normally do). That in part undermines the giving we do every day. I know that on Day 13 I spoke about the little gifts we give. And I stand by what I said - that those little gifts are really important each and every day because they keep us connected as human beings. But I can’t help berating myself for not pushing myself to give a little more. After all, Lent is supposed to be challenging, otherwise what growth do we achieve? I found myself filled with ideas of gifts at the beginning of the lent period, but since then those ideas have wittled down.

Perhaps that is because there is one gift I know I have to give this lent and something is holding me back from doing it. Remember on Day 1 I blogged about what inspired me to do this 40 Days and 40 Gifts thing in the first place? On that day, I was opened my wardrobe and saw it through the eyes of my domestic worker and I was shocked at how many clothes I have. So at some point this lent I have to sit down and clear out most of those clothes. Some of them I have sentimental attachments to. Some of them (I know all the ladies reading this can sympathise) I hope to fit into again one day. And some of them I never wear simply because I would love to have the confidence to wear them – they project an image of who I might be. But when I put them on I never feel comfortable, like myself. I think those might be the hardest to part with.

I think that’s perhaps why we are so uncomfortable with the verses in Matthew 6 about God providing for the flowers and the birds. We might even go so far as to trust that God will provide for us whatever we NEED. But letting go of the things we WANT, the things that demonstrate to the world “who we are”, well that’s quite another thing.

So today I embark on the spiritual spiritual distancing I need to do and then I will work towards the physical act of clearing out those clothes and giving them to people who need them far more than I do. And in the meantime I’m sticking to giving little things each day.

LESSON 16: We need to nourish who we are on the inside rather than expressing who we are through posessions

Wish me luck and watch this space…

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 14 & 15

2010-03-15T15:38:00.000+02:00

Day 14 and 15 – the gift of time…

Over the past two days I gave the same gift twice – homemade banana cheesecake – on day 14 to friends and on day 15 to Beert’s family. But when I reflected on these gifts I realised that it wasn’t so much the gift of cheesecake (although it was yummy, even if I do say so myself). Rather it was the gift of time.

It’s striking how often food goes hand in hand with spending time with people – family dinners, company functions, and how many bible studies are spent around tea or dinner? Jesus also spent time with friends and family over food – He started his ministry at the wedding feast, he ate most meals with his disciples, teaching them as he did, and of course, he ended his earthly ministry over the Passover meal – the Last Supper. Jesus realised the value of spending time with people.

Beert’s family does this well – they eat meals together as often as they can and almost every weekend they all get together for tea. It’s something I value in my family too – family meals where we got a chance to catch up.

Scheduling a dinner date, or a cup of coffee forces us to take time out of our busy schedules in order to fully focus on the people we are with.

LESSON 14: Eat with people a little more, gym and work a little less (Don’t let SHAPE magazine get hold of this one) and give the people close to you a little more of your time.

LESSON 15: Spending time with others is equally about giving yourself gifts.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 13

2010-03-09T13:38:00.000+02:00

Today I had another day of not giving any gifts. I can’t tell you why – there isn’t a particular reason except that I just overlooked it during the day. But one thing I did reflect on today was how many gifts I receive – small gifts and larger gifts. Over the weekend I was in Cape Town for a meeting. I stayed with my aunt and uncle and visited a good friend who recently moved down to Cape Town. And in the two days I was there I received so many gifts.

First up was the gift of a place to stay which my aunt and uncle graciously provided along with great food, many cups of coffee and good conversation. Then there was the gift of a bed which my cousin provided when she gave up her bedroom (she had to share with her brother) so I could have a place to sleep. On Sunday afternoon I was treated to a lovely picnic lunch on the beach and a beautiful bottle of wine, everything fully catered by my friends Lisa and Zane. I received so many gifts this weekend, and it made me feel so special.

It also made me realise how difficult it is sometimes to accept gifts. Not so much at the time of one’s birthday but receiving gifts from people for no reason at all is sometimes difficult. Do you for instance battle to accept a compliment? I know I do? Or when friends invite you around for dinner, do you feel the need to reciprocate? Why do find it do difficult to receive? I’m not sure I know why. Perhaps it is just a personal fault rather than a widespread trend but this weekend I found myself for the first time in a long time graciously accepting what was given to me – accepting them as gifts. So thank you to everyone who made my weekend in Cape Town so great.

LESSON 13 – We need to learn to recognise and accept the many gifts we are given each and every day.

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 12

2010-03-08T15:43:00.000+02:00

* A quick disclaimer: I know I'm runnning behind and that today is actually Day 19 but I need a little time to reflect on what I'm learning each day. I will try and catch up soon though.

Today I finally got around to doing that CV that I was supposed to do on Day 7. The CV was for the gardener that my parents employ. He is a hard working, dedicated guy who takes initiative and is willing to learn. And yet each day he goes back to his shack in the Primrose informal settlement. He is entrepreneurial, trying to eek small amounts of money out of doing odd jobs here and there, most of which he sends back to his wife and children who live in Polokwane. It’s a typical South Africa story. And it makes my heart ache. Why is it that so many people in South Africa who are dedicated, willing to work and who are committed to their families are unable to find sustainable employment? It just highlighted for me (for the umpteenth time in this journey so far) how much I have to be grateful for. In my immediate family, all of us are employed, between four of us we live in three houses, we have four cars between us and we certainly don’t go without. And yet in this guy’s family, he is the sole breadwinner – he has a shack in an informal settlement, and perhaps a hut in Polokwane, he has no car and yet he is doing everything he can to make sure his children have a better life than he has.

We live in such a crazy, unbalanced, unequal world and one of the ideas behind the discipline of simplicity is to try and contribute towards equalling that out. You see, God does provide – enough for every person in the world. Hunger and poverty arise out of the unequal relations that we as human beings have constructed over time. We know that there is enough food because food that is not consumed by the wealthy gets dumped all the time when it expires. And yet millions live in hunger. We know there is enough to go around because the major diseases of the wealthy are diseases associated with OVERconsumption – heart disease and other chronic illnesses are diseases that are to a large extent associated with over consumption. And yet millions of people die daily from preventable diseases of poverty and underconsumption – cholera, malaria, kwashiorkor and of course starvation.

So God provides enough for us. The problem lies in how we as a human race, and the systems we have created distribute what God has given us. Essentially the problem isn’t one of too much poverty, it’s one of too much wealth. Focusing on simplicity helps us to take cogniscance of what we really need and what is just fluff that we like to hold on to. The uncomfortable question of course is, are some of the things we hold onto denying someone else the basics for life? Is our consumerism undermining the ability of someone else to survive?

LESSON 12: The world’s problem is not too much poverty, it’s too much wealth.

God’s Kingdom is one of abundance. As followers of Christ we must ask the uncomfortable questions about our own attachment to things and what that means for our prayer of “Thy Kingdom come.” Does my attachment to things actively assist a world in which God’s Kingdom reigns or does it undermine that? The early church understood this. In Acts 2: 42-47 we have a wonderful picture of believers praying together, learning and joining in fellowship and in this community they “sold their possessions and goods, they gave to everyone as they had need.” How wonderful would our world be if we all had a little less so that others could have a little more?

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 11

2010-03-04T11:34:00.001+02:00

I’m not sure if I cheated today or not. I’ll let you be the judge. I flew back to Jozi from Cape Town today and so the day was a little rushed - finishing up the work that had to be done, seeing who I needed to see and finding my way to the airport on time. I found myself sitting on the plane wondering what I was going to give and where to fit it in between being collected from the airport and cooking dinner for my parents.

So I’ve decided that what I gave today was a really nice meal and quality time with my family.

Does it count? Especially given that my mother (when I was living at home) cooked pretty much every day for me?

This got me thinking about how much my mother (and many other mothers) gives each and every day. Each day for my mother was about preparing breakfast for us each morning (and still for my dad), making sure we had lunch packed, preparing dinner for us, most evenings washing dishes if one of us didn’t take that off her hands, and then going back to work in the evenings in order to prepare for the next day (she’s a teacher). Can I really call my gift of a meal a gift when mothers (and some fathers) do this everyday of their lives as part of their role as mother?

This thought highlighted something for me: Mothers are essentially gifts to their children and family. They are gift giving – giving their bodies to create and bear life, giving careers to care for children, giving energy each day to bring up children, giving time to making sure houses are in order, and children and spouses are fed and clothed. So many mothers put themselves second, always giving of themselves to their family. Perhaps being a mother is a journey in giving. Perhaps our mothers have more to teach us than we know.

Perhaps we are totally mistaken in identifying with God as a Father. Perhaps we would find ourselves closer to God’s nature of eternal giving if we were to connect with her as Mother.

LESSON 11: Mothers are angels…

40 Days 40 Gifts Day 10

2010-03-04T11:34:00.000+02:00

The gift of time… How many of us rush around day to day making sure we fit in gym, work, cooking, cleaning, shopping and a good dose of fun (usually only on weekends thanks very much)? What for? I get that if we are lucky enough to be employed we are expected to work an 8-5 job five days a week and I get that if we don’t there are consequences. But so many of us have become consumed by the economy that we begin to believe we are indispensable. If we don’t turn up at work the project will fall apart around us. We have this sense of self importance that has been ingrained into us over many years.

This I think is very closely linked with this belief that if I don’t do it nobody will, if I don’t earn it, no-one’s going to earn it for me, if I don’t look after myself nobody will. Sadly I think that’s largely true in our society today. The problem doesn’t just lie with me, it lies with all of us. If I can’t take care of myself today or tomorrow I know that someone will care for me because I have a close family but ultimately society expects me to pick myself up and continue contributing to the economy. There is very little patience for continually giving to another. Think for instance of so many of our attitudes towards the social grants system in South Africa. We see it as a case of our tax money going to others who don’t want to work instead of seeing it as an automatic gift giving system that we celebrate.

Now I’m not suggesting that we should all just abandon working and seek to live off handouts. But I do suggest that we start having a healthy scepticism for this “work more and more” economy that drives us to spend less time with family and with God and more time earning money (for what?).

There is a lovely story about the owner of a fishing company who visits a small town in Mexico. Early one morning he meets a man who has just pulled his small fishing boat in after a relatively successful catch and he strikes up a conversation with the fisherman. He asks him what he does for the rest of the day. The fisherman replies that he apportions out the fish, eats with his family, plays with the children and has a siesta. The business man asks him if he wouldn’t like to have two or three boats. That way he says you can catch more fish and sell them off and make some money. What would I do then? Says the fisherman. You could then buy a bigger boat and fish out more fish and make more money. And what would I do then asks the fisherman? You could use the capital that you have made to buy a whole lot of boats and you could become very rich. And what would I do then asks the fisherman? Well, you could retire and spend time playing with your kids and having a siesta…

LESSON 10: Seems we forget that money can’t buy us happiness or time or memories.

Are we addicted to our jobs? The fishing analogy brings to mind Jesus calling his first disciples – themselves fisherman. He asks them to put down their nets (to give up their livelihood, their source of income) and follow Jesus. They do so willingly. I wonder how many of us would be able to give up our fishing nets to do the same? How many of us say we don’t have time to pray or read the bible or come to church or commit to a GIG (bible study)? Perhaps our answer to that gives an indication of how much our work distracts us from seeking God.

I almost forgot to tell you what the gift was: I spent time with a team planning the installation of a library at a school in Soweto – actual work to commence on 13 March. Watch this space…