Movies can be so stimulating

Movies that make you think are always great and we have seen two this week. Wednesday in the rain we went to see Narnia 3 at the drive-in with the family. Excellent movie, way better than the book we read earlier this year. Brilliant clips for preaching especially on self esteem and temptation. Very obviously christian, and if people don't see that they must be a bit thick. He is known in this world as.... da Jesus of course!!! Go and see it.
Then tonight we watched Time Changer where a dude comes from 1890 to 2000 and sees the decline due to the lack of Jesus being preached and people thinking they can have morals without Christ. Shockingly real to us. Makes the point that it is almost wrong to preach morals like don't steal without in the same breath saying Jesus said that and that He will help you if you ask Him to. We did 2 days of life skills at Parkhurst and every point we made we told the kids/teens that it is impossible to live right without a very real dependence on Jesus. Need His Lordship as first priority in our lives. He can't save those He can't command... a quote from the movie. Hope this makes you who are listening think...ask questions...just speak to Jesus in the quiet...He will respond!

Customer Service

Don't you love good customer service and find bad a stress factor? Whilst at Southern Sun hotel with Joanne, the resturant superviser questioned our payment. I told them it included breakfast and 2 minutes later she came back and said sorry their mistake all was fine! The lady flipping the eggs stood out as she had the personal touch! Yesterday had a banking problem and although the lady was pleasant she was clueless to my issue and it led to visiting another branch today. This time the guy was both pleasant and knew what I was talking about. He went out of his way to sort me out and with a smile all the time. I rate places mostly based on customer service. It is people you remember!

Adventures of Toby no 3 takes 3 years to produce but so worth it

Finally watched the new adventures of Toby DVD called Crunch Time, by Bugbox animations here in Jozi. What a brilliant movie with such truth and once again the Jesus character is just way cool or coolaroonie if you have watched the movie. Shows how we can love people who don't love us, how we can give not keep and be selfish. Shows so clearly how Jesus expects more from us when we know Him. Watch it if you can, buy it from CUM or google Bugbox. R100 well spent for your family or to show kids. enjoyed the bonus features too and know some of the team. Go guys!!!

Jono's 81

Inspired by Joanne let's see how I go...
1. The Lord Jesus and my relationship with Him
2. His presence and worshipping Him where happiness is experienced
3. My wonderful wife who loves me so much and who I love so much
4. The thought of growing older with my best friend Joanne
5. My Kenan who reminds me so much of me
6. Starting to Gym with Kenan
7. Asher's love and funny ways
8. Shaylah's growth overcoming some stuff
9. Gabriella's closeness but not her tantrums
10. A bed to sleep in
11. Good health and overcoming or controlling blood pressure
12. Assurance of salvation and heaven above
13. Living with passionate purpose
14. Early morning quiet times
15. Breakfast
16. early morning prayer with Big G and others
17. Running with mates
18. Running races
19. The early morning sunrises
20. Pretty flowers
21. Geography and many places to visit
22. Manila conference and the impact we are having in the world
23. Aeroplanes with my family
24. Kuala Lampur and beautiful cities
25. Champions league
26. Tottenham rising up
27. Skinny Jeans
28. Hope street kids and leadership teams growth
29. Computers and Facebook
30. Work colleagues
31. Our car
32. The surroundings where we live
33. The bridge run
34. Lessons learnt
35. His Hop and seeing warwick run and Shaylah too
36. Finances for many things
37. Food and resturants.
38. Mentors and great preachers
39. Those who encourage us and prophecy over us
40. Morning hugs
41. Coming home to screams of daddy
42. Extended family
43. Mission Sundays and trips to Bulembu
44. Mick Hucknell and Simply Red
45. My guitar and songs
46. Listening to records and watching You Tube
47. Jozi Kidz and Jozi Lights
48. Parkhurst Primary
49. Fruit of changed lives
50. Ministering to petrol pump attendants
51. God pockets
52. Good books and good movies
53. Family times
54. Prophetic art
55. Friday afternoon prayer
56. Kenan coming back from Ignite Youth

OK I am out of time but Lord we are thankful for so much!!!! You are the best!!!!

CPROD... the trilogy

Well our third rendition of this years production rocked!!! Doing it at HP was such a pleasure. We practiced hard on Saturday and had the help of a vocal coach, lights team, sound team, and so on Sunday it just came together. People said it was our best so far... who knows? I just know that I enjoyed seeing the kids discovering themselves and growing in confidence and character. There were casualties too who proved a lack of character but maybe we can work on this. Our job isn't easy but we will continue to disciple those who are willing. Thanks to all who made up our production team and cast. Here is to easter 2012... yes we are skipping a Cprod next year.

Funeral waffles... food for thought

A funeral of a 99 year old lady! How awesome it was. The pastor knew her and her family and shared so well, but it was the speaches from family that really counted. My friend Graham and others spoke of "Granny" and all she had meant to them. What I took away was how she had walked with God and served her family. She passed away on Monday after worshipping with her favourite hymns and reading scriptures with one of her relations. What a way to go! So now she is with Jesus and probably dancing and singing. What a great legacy to hand to the next generation. Her great granddaughters are in our ministry, so we will do all we can to disciple them so they can become like their great gran. What about those who don't know Jesus? Now that's scarey... OK I am waffling...

CPROD continues... at Hope Street with power but no power

The God's gang gathers in the car park and jumps into the parents various vehicles and head east for Boksburg. Home away from home for us, a tour of note to the northern suburbers! Arriving at a smarter looking Hope Street, Calvin runs out to say there is no electricity! So how does one do a musical production without music? You download MP3 to an external harddrive that fits into some contraption that plays thru the car? Well that didn't work but then found one of our parents who had a CD! Still played thru the car, parked as close to the door as poss. The production had more life than Saturday despite this, and the Hope Streeters also treated us to a great performance. Gifts given to our precious kids and then party packs for all. It was precious. Emily preached, so needed only to share a few words. Really what kids can bring to Jesus for His birthday is their hearts and their talents. That came thru loud and clear. Very proud of the team and so good to see kids reaching out!!!

The 17th Tom Jenkins Challenge

Get the kit ready, and crash for some sleep only to wake up at 4am with an excitement for the race... Creep thru the house and quietly as possible head out by ten past and head north East to Tswane. Arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria with the beautiful Jackaranda trees in bloom and the sounds of the PA system calling runners to register. Facinating to see the many different types of people arriving and we all share the love of road running. Bang... and we are off... thousands of what I used to think were crazy people, now I am one of them. At 6km I pass two 75 year old men running, and that always amazes me that runners can run long into life. No arm chairs and walking sticks for these dudes. For 6km they have been in front of me! Flat and downhills till 7km and there in front looms Tom Jenkins Drive! 800m of serious uphill which I manage to run up whilst most walk. Then dash down to the half way mark where most people turn in to complete the 10km race, but the tough continue for another loop. I am running well and my time is looking great but then alas at 18km Tom Jenkins Drive appears again! This time the body is not feeling as strong and although I run most of it, the time ticks away, leaving me very little time to dash down the hill to the finish line. My goal of beating my best of 1:55 changes to can I do a sub 2 hour, but I come in on 2:01. Still very pleasing and greatly enjoyable. I head home to my family with another medal and feel so blessed to be healthy enough to do this.

Next Generation heads up the stairs

This morning we said goodbye to a whole bunch of our kids who have turned 13. The Ignite Youth team came and fetched them from our party downstairs and took them up to a great family welcome. Was so proud of them and almost all of them were Diz Workers, our leadership development track! They will leave a hole at Jozi Kidz for a while and that is half of our Diz Worker team. They all have their own amazing personalities and character. These were the core kids that we inherited when we took over Jozi Kidz in 2006, and it is hard to think of things without them. Yet this is fruit of our labour. I looked around the Ignite room and saw so many familiar faces of kids we had discipled. They were praying for these new kids, sharing God's Word, and I felt blessed. Now to raise up more disciples and leaders, now to see who steps up to fill the gaps, now to intensify our discipleship in 2011. So thrilled to have a great youth ministry to take our kids on in God.

CPROD hits Soweto

Must waffle about our Christmas Production and Party yesterday. We all piled into the many vehicles and loaded up huge amounts of presents. After a prayer we headed out and all got to the school in Soweto safely. The kids were waiting. After looking for the Hall and discovering it didn't exist we set up in the courtyard while most of our team interacted with the Soweto kids and teens. Then 1, 2, 3 and the production started. Went well. Yes, we could see mistakes, but the crowd enjoyed it. I shared the gospel afterwards and although it didn't feel that great I know from experience that there are always those who respond in their hearts. Then came the presents for the children, a mix of the church kids and Soccer club kids. There were some very happy faces. The best sight was a group of little girls who as we were packing up were lost in a game of dolls and tea party under the tree. They looked so cute and happy. So it was worth all the work and endless wrapping. Joanne did an amazing job of co ordinating this project, and of course it continues tomorrow at Hope Street.

Discipleship thoughts and skinny Jeans!

Yesterday I was asked to share with our church staff on DISCIPLESHIP, and I enjoyed it very much and so did some of the people listening to me in my urple skinny jeans and yellow tackies. Why do I mention this? Well one of my Disciplers called me up on the weekend to tell me that his son had just walked in from shopping with skinny jeans and yellow tackies. He asked what cult I was discipling his boy into?
See discipleship is what Jesus was into and I saw a few things from scripture and from my own life. One is drawn to follow someone who is themself a Disciple. You can't make one till you are one. Then the Discipler calls you out to follow them- not always directly but they are intentional about this relationship. The Disciple then invests time into you and this means home time not just work time or church meeting time. There must be an element of intentionality taking disciple from point A to point B. This is with the Word and other possible tools or books. There is often words of encouragement, endorsement and rebuke from the Discipler. They have to challenge you and get you moving. Then there are shared experiences... doing stuff together, doing ministry together. See Jesus did this with his disciples. Joanne and I have had people like Iain and Lisa and others do this with us, and we are doing this with as many children and young people as we can. Discipleship is fundamentally Relationship! So Be one and Make one. At Jozi Kidz this is our biggest priority and HP Jozi is prioritising it more and more too. Great programs and big meetings certainly have their place but nothing makes disciples like discipleship Jesus way!

2 Big Projects on the go

Just thought I'd waffle about these two big things taking my head space today. Saturday sees us starting the first of a string of Christmas Parties with needy but totally awesome kids. We have been blessed with generosity this year and have been able to buy great gifts for around 260 kids. Our Jozi Kidz rooms and office look like Santa's factory again. We have written notes till late at night, wrapped until we can't wrap no more, and Joanne has spent hours shopping and talking with suppliers. All worth it to drop a Jesus Love Bomb on places like Soweto, Hope Street and our Havens. Two of the parties also include our Christmas Production 2010 and hopefully some wonderful Jesus moments with kids. My compassion levels are up and ready. The big production is at church on 5th December so anyone wanting to see great kids trying their best on stage should be at HP at 9am. Seriously!
The second big project is taking Joanne's Xtreme Makeover Of Me booklet to the next level. We are going to film intro's, a room makeover section, and a challenge onto high quality DVD to go with a 13 week curriculum. There is nothing like it and we need it for our own ministry but also to get it out to other churches. It is a scarey project and one that will tax us, but so important. We have a producer who is putting loads of work into what it will take and budget. So now we just need the funding! If there are any people reading this waffle who are feeling like they want to invest some money into a project like this then please chat to us. We know God will provide as He did for us to go to EN2010 in June. We still have no clue who was our biggest giver back then, and frankly we don't want to. So enough waffling and we will keep you up to date with progress.

Waffling about grub

You asked for waffles so I am waffling, but not about waffles. Joanne and i do a weekly at Fish Aways in Bergbron and it rocks. It is very clean, the staff are very polite and friendly and their food tastes great, and at reasonable prices. It gets the thumbs up! But if you want really fine service try Amamus in Parktown North. Fatima is the owner and she is out there with the public making her business humm. I asked for a salad and she made me this heavenly cooked vegetable dish with Halomi Cheese and lots of good stuff. Mark and I meet there every second week and we are slowly building her clientelle. Mug and Bean Parkhurst just hasn't seen me for a long while. Ok enough about food...

God reveals Himself creatively thru us

This weekend is the Bless the City campaign where christians from all churches were challenged to do something to bless the city. Last night as part of Jozi Lights we took our kids on a prayer walk around the church block. Each leader had to stop the kids at a place that popped out to them and then for one minute the whole bunch had to pray out loud. Worked so well and the high light was praying outside Vida e Cafe with the staff. They were touched and even blessed the kids with complimentary chocs! People so enjoyed seeing the kids out and about. Then an hour ago we did our family contribution. We bought helium balloons at Cresta and then wrote notes and tied them to the balloons. We walked up the Westcliff steps and after a prayer, each one of us let ours go... They went up and over the electric fence, travelled south for a moment and then took an easternly wind over the Zoo towards Houghton. Now at some point they will either pop and drop their letters, and in a couple money, or in 7 hours when the helium loses strength they will glide down. Now just imagine someone receiving the money or the message?
God will have directed these flying message bringers to the exact person! Nothing fluke with God. As I sat on the grandstand at Craighall Primary talking about Coca Cola and Jesus to two boys yesterday, it wasn't fluke either. Neither was it fluke being with the Parkhurst Primary Staff this morning. God orchestrates His message and just uses different bearers. Balloons, talks, people...

Rape, justice and grace.

Another one of those days when I despair in what the world has become. Three teens rape a girl at school in front of a crowd and video tape it. Then everyone starts to call into the radio about what should be done for these boys! They are minors, they have issues, they need therapy... What about the victim? What about morality and justice and what about Biblical laws. Because we are so sinful humans need the law and need definate punishment for crimes. I love people and I know there are circumstances but the Bible taught the Israelites to punish crimes like murder and rape with the death sentence. If God didn't deal with sin that way it would have just spread and the people of God would have been wiped out. God's grace and forgiveness is there for all of us sinners and indeed for these three teens, but there must also be justice. If they were removed from society it would only be right having destroyed this young girls life. It would also send the message to every other young boy, that you can't control your lust and your violence then you will pay! If I was God I know what I would do... but He is always more merciful and Jesus paid the price for this. But that is spiritual grace, there must still be consequences for heinous crimes like this in our city this week. Wonder where the teachers were... or is that another waffle?

Lakeside Magic

We ended our 12th year at Lakeside Primary today with a thanksgiving service that was just for us. As I sat watching great kids perform and as I got a lump in my throat as teachers spoke of the impact we have had, I thought of all the preaching we have done there. The very first time was back in 99 when our sound system fell and smashed on the floor! That didn't stop us and hundreds of messages later we are still there. Why? Cos we love those kiddies and we love Jesus. There little eyes just watch us and they are so cute. The gospel is preached and the truth is that some have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. So many teachers still there and faithful Mrs J who this year was made principal. So great to see the changes already and as Joanne said, there is a magic at Lakeside than we have seen no where else. They know how to be hospitable. They know how to develop the right tone, and most of all the favour of God is all over the place.
2011 ... we will be back!

Hope Street growing

Trust the Lord with His ministry and believe in the next gen of leaders. We have trusted our young Hope Street leaders with this ministry when we only go every second week, sometimes every third. This year they have been so faithful and it is growing. The kids just kept coming today and then we still walked the streets and brought in more, icluding Sifiso and Lerato who accepted Christ on the curb. Took the leaders out for ice cream tonight and for the first time I heard them talking about our kids and they refused a suggestion to scale down next year! They are leading this thing now. They want to see growth and are committing themselves. After a great evening they insisted on praying in the car. Really encouraging!!! Making two more leaders too taking the team to 7 without us.

Houses, houses, houses

Very interesting looking at show houses. Today we get to the first one in Emmarentia. Great location but it just comes in on you. Big garden but you can't see out, just oppresively green and bushy. The house goes on and on with extra rooms added on. Nicely finished but dark and dingey. My wife and kids love it! I just want to dash to the car... Then to Parkhurst which I think is a much trendier suburb with character. No 1 is a great spot and compact house with a cottage too. Bit dark but pretty little garden. Sad thing is they want 1.8 million and will probably get 1.6 which is more than we can afford anyway. Drive past another in Greenside but its one of those fixer uppers which just isn't me at all. Then a wasted drive to a block of trendy flats which turn out to be a lock your doors area and get out of there quick location! So nothing yet that works for us all. Where can one find good location, proximity, air, pretty, low maintenance, trendy, modern, old fashioned, small, compact, big and with many rooms for kids, trees, no trees? Watch this blog for more as we continue to hunt it down...

Want to grab a heart for discipleship then watch..

"The secrets of Jonathan Sperry" a movie that was given to us to watch today. It left me so inspired and is about an old guy who loves Jesus who reaches out to a young boy and leads him to the saviour. He ends up doing Bible Study and discipling a whole lounge of young boys complete with chocolate cake and lemonade! Some totally awesome experiential teaching, and the way this man sows into the boys is incredible. They go on to disciple many others. This is the heart behind what we want to do next year. We want to use XMO that Joanne has designed as the basic material but to build small groups of leaders and children and even children together. We will most certainly show this movie a lot next year so that people can get the heart behind discipleship. If only I can be more like this old man... inspiring to the older generation too... we need you to step up and raise the next gen.

Altar call... just a term for responding publically to the gospel

So how do you do an altar call pastor J? Good question put to us by Siviwe who spoke at Hope Street today. He spoke well and challenged kids to come to the front of the little church to give their hearts to Jesus. Most of the kids quickly came up. Siv handed over to me and I shared a little and led them in a prayer asking Jesus to forgive them, to help them repent and to follow Jesus. Well that's it. Now as we discussed on the way home, some came forward because that is the culture, some cos their friends did, some just to be polite, but there are always some who really got it and wanted to surrender to Jesus. I have heard enough real stories from kids and teens we work with who became christians when we came to their park, school, or at a meeting. We can try be clear, and yes we can teach the Word well in smaller groups and cement these altar calls, but let us not shrink back. There are going to be many people in heaven who say thanks for that altar call you gave, that is where I first called on Jesus! So if you work with people keep giving the gospel to them. It is a work of God's Spirit not us. We don't teach them into the Kingdom, God calls and this is just part of many people's journey.

Can one man make a difference?

Bill Wilson from Metro Kids in New York is asked this question often and in his book suggests the answer. He describes his journey of starting Metro which now reaches 40 000 kids a week in NY and has been started in many countries globally. Facinating and challenging reading. Tells stories of how doing what he and his team do has made the difference in children's lives. Hard hitting reading. Then in Exodus 33 today I saw that Moses single handedly makes the difference. God tells him that He is going to leave Israel to get along on their own because they are so bad. Moses puts himself on the line and because He has found favour with God asks God to change His mind, and He listens! Moses says if God won't go with them then He must leave Moses too. What sacrifice is that. Would you put your salvation aside for others? So we are called to stand in the gap and pray. Abraham did the same, and saved people.
What about you and me? I know there are children who are in the Kingdom today because we obeyed God and went to their school. Baptised 4 kids last night. 2 sisters who are saved today because Joanne and I went to their school 3 years ago to do an assembly. 1 boy who gave his heart to Jesus 6 months because my 13 year old son cared enough to lead him to Jesus, and my 9 year old daughter because we adopted her 8 and a half years ago and have shared our lives with her. Encouraging? Of course... so make sure you make a difference... it is what God has called us to do!

Jozi Lights back for final term

Nothing like seeing the kids rock up for Jozi Lights on a Friday. They talk so much, they connect with each other, with us as leaders, and then the ultimate... with God. Tonight there was fun, a walk down the road to a pool where we baptized 4 kids including my daughter. Then back for small groups where older boys shared testimonies, and prayed with passion. Ended with a push for the Christmas Production auditions and 15 min of tremendous praise and worship. Such a presence of God there and freedom. we are so blessed to be part of this family. Young people being shaped by a great God for their future and their present.

U wear skinny jeans pastor J

So why do I wear skinny jeans? And red or purple ones, with red shoes! Since young I have liked wearing different stuff and not always doing what people would expect me to do. I hate mediocrity and being boxed. It is my non-conformist streak coming out. Bear in mind my mom wore kaftans till she died and my dad had a pony tail in his seventies. I never want to be boring. But I am part trying to be cool and relevant to the kids I minister to, but also I like skinnies. I tend to look at someone who looks good in something, and then try it for myself. Sometimes it doesn't work and then I don't do it. I wish more people, particularly teens, would find what works for them. Your build, colour, and many other features mean that some things work and some just don't. Just waltz around your local mall and spot those who look comfortable and those who are trying to just fit in. So laugh or be envious but I like my skinny purple jeans and bright coloured shoes are funky. So there, that is my fashion waffle for the week.

World's largest Sunday School

Amazing to think of 40 000 children in your weekly Sunday School!!! Well that is what Bill Wilson and Metro New York have. 100 full time staff, 50 busses, 5 services plus a whole load of Sidewalk sites throughout the city. So many kids who have met Jesus and have followed Him since. So may kids rescued from the streets. Inspiring and daunting. Makes me ask what am I doing? What more is needed? We have so many kids in need, in danger. Bill said last night, the need is the vision! Would love to go to New York and see this for myself, to learn from this ministry. It was reading Bill's book Streets of pain about 11 years ago that made us build the carastage and do parks every afternoon of the week for years. Many kids saved, but hard to know whether many are following Jesus today. Now I am reading his new book, Whose Child is this. May stretch me...make me more effective...???

God gives vision, lies try stop it.

Vision provides motivation. Without a vision my people perish says God. So yesterday it was off to the Botanical Gardens for 3 hours of what I call God Time. I try for it every few weeks or so but sometimes life gets too busy. In the beautiful surroundings of what God has created it is easy to be reflective and to take stock of your life. With a journal and pen you look at how you function in your different roles in life. I am a son of God first, then a husband, a father, a friend and a childrens pastor. One needs God's grace and favour to be all of these. Then came a look at all that Jozi Kidz is and needs to be. Not many changes were needed but to up our discipleship plan. Some numbers written down and some plans committed to the Lord and given the thumbs up by my wonderfully wise wife. Even some short term goals for the next few months before 2010 is no more. What stops us achieving vision? Our unbelief, and listening to the negative words of others, and to Satan who talks rubbish but quite convincingly into our minds. Things like haven't you tried that before and failed? Who do you think you are? and even is that all, don't you need to do bigger and better things that will make you look good? Ha Ha.. no you have to do what God has called you to do. So hey... do you need to go find your time and space and let God speak to you in the quiet?

To school or not to school that is the question

So what high school are you sending Asher to? The question popped up at supper time today. Hadn't thought about it at all was my response. You see we had all our kids home schooled till a month ago when we felt to give them the choice of Parkhurst Primary. Asher and Shaylah didn't take long to agree and off they went the next day or a few days later. It has amazed the staff that they fitted in so easily. I thought they would. Confident kids can handle different situations. The home schooling set their academic path and enabled them to be discipled by their parents. Now they are making a difference in their school. Asher of his own accord elected to do his speech on Jesus his hero. Shaylah has brought kids to church already. My word of advice to parents is know your kids and trust the Lord. Home school is great but not for every family, Christian school can be what your kid needs, or maybe the school up the road. Parkhurst is not the high class school you would expect to find in that suburb. It is mainly been for domestic worker kids and many travelling in from the inner city and townships. Yet we love the vibe, respect the management, and see it as a great multicultural experience for our kids. Shaylah and Asher are picking up Zulu and Shaylah says the skipping rhymes with a genuine black accent! She even spelt grin as green in a spelling test cos that is how her teacher pronounced it... I found that amusing. Do like that a few of our Jozi Kidz have gone into the local schools, despite most people opting for private schools. It is a huge decision but lets trust God with our kids and help them to swim up stream wherever they go to school. OK, now I am waffling...

Heroes open home to a teen in need...

How amazing is this... that two of our old friends in their late twenties who desperately want children of their own have put their faith in Jesus for that to happen in God's timing, but have opened their home to a 12 year old needing a stable home life and the love of Jesus. That must so please the Father's heart, who said true religion is to care for the orphan and the widow. What a selfless act of love and Christian fruit. My latest heroes for sure!!! Imagine if more people could be so selfless.

Is it Jesus or what ... is the focus?

Jesus was and is such a great guy and my hero. At Jozi Kidz today we taught on Jesus in John 5. Looked at the way He healed the lame dude at the pool, and at how if we want to be like Him then we can also bring healing and miracles if He lives in us. Yet it was verses 13-15 that really grabbed me. Jesus is humble and didn't draw attention to Himself. When we are the delivery agent of a miracle or we pray for a healing we don't say look at me but look at JESUS. Then Jesus finds the healed man at the temple and tells him not to sin. See the dudes salvation was actually more important than the healing. Same today, if we get people healed but fail to lead them to JESUS then what is the point? We need to preach repentance and faith in Jesus. That lame dude's life was changed by an encounter with Jesus that included a healing but much much more! Lord use us this week to share Jesus with people who haven't yet met Him.

Bulembu, Bible and Governance

What a mind stretching adventure as I read Landa Cope's Old Testament Template book, which looks at 8 spheres of influence in society. Joanne and I bought new Bibles and colouring pencils to go thru the whole Bible over the next year or so and to colour the 8 spheres. Now in Genesis 20 it has been so different. The Bible is a model for discipling not only individuals but nations! Then as I started this i joined a 3 man delegation to Bulembu, Swaziland, to build relationally with their management team and our church in Jozi. Bulembu is a one town microcosm of the world and the 8 spheres all feature. My mind was spinning as we tried to see how this all works and where the role of the church fits in from a governance point of view. The discussions were stimulating and left me asking even more questions. We left with relationships built, future mission trips planned for our kidz and Mark's Youth and to be in prayer for a pastoral couple to head up the church. Joanne and the kids joined me and we had an awesome few days there with ministry to the school and church kids and many more questions and discussions with the Nevilles. The journey continues.... Check out pix and great write up on Bulembu on Mark Titleys Facebook site. Tell him you are my friend!

The Blind Side... movie review

My friend Tonderayi told me a few months back that it was his new favourite movie and I wasn't dissapointed. What a touching story of Hope for the kids from the projects or in our case the townships or the inner city. Loved the way the lady's heart went out to this young man and the sacrifices she made and her whole family to accomodate him and to believe in him. There are so many Big Mikes or Little Mikes out there, and we need to let God lead us to help them. Great example of how wealth doesn't need to be the centre of our lives but neither do we need to feel guilty of God's blessings. Must just use it for good. Made for a good family time before I leave for Swaziland this morning. Best part for me was the sister moving over to study with her black bro! She had been discipled by mom and crossed boundaries to show love to others despite the redicule. That's what I mean by swimming up stream.

Kidz filled with the Spirit in the garden

The Holy Spirit plans things. We had decided to do a Holy Spirit week at Hope Street as part of the term plan. Days had to be swopt and so after prayer and prep we drove to Windmill Park today to do this. We found shut gates at our venue for the first time and so had to ask the neighbour if we could use his garden. Joanne and I shared with the Word, an object lesson and a blowing in the wind flip chart. Then we divided the kids into three, the first group who felt they needed to pray and read more first before we prayed for them, the second group those already baptized in the Holy Spirit to go and pray and expect a re-charge, and then the third group those who like the disciples were waiting for God's promise! Joanne led them in prayer and then we went round laying hands on them and the Holy SPirit came! They were filled and spoke in tongues and some shook as we prayed in the garden. It was fabulous and we believe for the fruit of being filled which is boldness and more witnessing...

How's your health?

Thursday was my health assessment at Gym and I was very pleased with my fitness and shape. Good to be 40 and at my best fitness. The down was my BP which I have been watching but just not doing enough about. So from then I have been eating healthy! I just can't afford to compromise and today I was challenged as we spent all day at eating moments. The cake looked good but I resisted and ate fruit and veg as much as poss. The 19 km run was also great this morning. What do you need to do? We all have to watch our health and fitness... so we can go the long haul.

Radical reformist rantings!!!!

My theology and my view of discipleship has been shaken to the core by Landa Cope's book, "The Old Testament Template" We heard her speak at the West church on Sunday and she was so brilliant that I dashed to the ATM and bought both her books which she even signed for me. Picking it up and reading it looks to answer the question of why although many areas have so many christians why doesn't the community reform? How often have I asked that? She shares how the church in the last hundred years or more has been preaching individual salvation but not how to disciple nations! The church has been so guilty of not even discipling individuals properly. So many churches get people saved and then that's it. That is not what Jesus taught is it? So we need to disciple people and then use the WHOLE BIBLE to disciple the nations, that is every aspect of society. Landa breaks it into 8 areas, and I am on the chapter on government! Wow... I think I am slow to get this as she taught on it a few years back at our Real Life conference but we were busy with kids. Now I am catching up and Joanne and I bought new Bibles today so we can do what Landa did and that is to go thru the Bible with 8 coloured pencils and underline anything on the 8 areas, and I am going to do a 9th on the gospel of salvation too.
30 years following Jesus and all the time God is revealing Himself to us. How awesome He is. He is relevant to everyone, every where... And when I read Revelation 21, 22 we know the end and it is glorious for those who learn to follow Jesus, and learn to rule as leaders under His Lordship!
Are you challenged? I am.

Raising up the next bunch of leaders

On Friday at Jozi Lights our leaders meeting was full of next generation guys and girls! Youngsters that we have discipled over the last 5 years at Jozi Kidz and who are now discipling others. What a joy for this 40 year old to get out of the way and let these guys run... Today Letty at half my age left in charge of Jozi Kidz whilst we were out ministering somewhere else. One of our young 13 year old leaders said "well it was a bit hectic and I wasn't as well prepared as I should have been" but hey that's what it is about... learning to minister and to gain those incredible insights. All around I see people we are raising up and it is so awesome. Loved Steve Murrell's statement that, " I always lead with the view of leaving" I thought today if in a years time we aren't at Jozi Kidz it could go on. Leadership has been raised... and we will continue to help disciple them and mentor them.
Was a great blessing to pray and release 12 leaders in our West congregation today to lead their childrens ministry. Some of these were kids in our ministry! The consultation manual that we worked so hard on and went thru with pastor Gabriel, Gifty and Ivan has beared fruit and hopefully we can help more churches with this.
To God be the glory and thanks for using us!!!

JESUS... what more

It's just JESUS that's all people need. We don't need to complicate things do we. That's what I am hearing from Chris Overstreet and the Bethel connections. Love Jesus, love people and don't be scared to step out. Just ask people if they need prayer for anything, then pray and watch what God does. It is Him not us. Fear of man is a sin, Chris said and smiled. True, if we don't step out to share the love of Jesus with people then it is a sin and fear is normally the problem. Fear of what they might say, like it matters anyway! Inspired and felt God was lifting things off the hundreds of people packed into church today.
My stepping out to speak to an old guy I saw running two weeks ago, led to me following it up with another run and on the first lap I was already talking about Jesus. This guy turns out to be a spiritualist whose wife leads a Buddhist home cell. Yes Lord, i was hoping for an unbeliever, well he believes but needs to be convinced that JESUS stands above the rest and really is the way, the truth, the life. His claims are unique... and people of all religions are discovering that. Thank God He loves us so much and is chasing after each one of us... don't run, it is too nice to be caught!

Ramadan and Jesus

The Love of Jesus must break thru the rules and regulations. His forgiveness from sins changes our hearts. His word is truth and anyone who reads it and studies it will find that to be the case. Jesus appearing in dreams, thru books and on TV, these are all ways that Muslims can find Him. Just been watching some short movies of true stories of muslims who have found Jesus. So awesome and encourages us to not run away but to engage with them. So many are genuinely wanting to follow God, but have been lied to. Let us as Christians be an example and love those who may despise, even hate us. Let us live the life of Jesus, so that we do not give them excuse to accuse us of hypocrisy. As I shared with the Muslim man in Malaysia, we share so much when it comes to morality, but not our understanding of who God is. We know Isa personally and so can they. Even in the Quran Isa is revealed! During Ramadan let us pray for Muslims to meet Jesus.

Spiritual Trapeez?

balancing acts are awesome to watch and balancing acts are hard to do. In the Church we are so often balancing between different things. Tensions holding are good. We face the balance between spending a lot of time seeking God in prayer and worship, enjoying God and pressing into Him for more, and yet also taking the gospel out to a lost world that so needs Jesus. It isn't one or the other but both and. Need to soak in God for want of a controversial word and then act in a way that makes sense to the unchurched and shares love. This we must pursue at church and at Jozi Kidz. God has great plans and we dare not miss it by rushing too fast or dragging our feet. Praise God for a great team of passionate men and women, all with their own bent but willing to lay it down for Jesus. Thanks for the Spirit and the Word, for experience and thinking. For local and further afield. For young and old. Thank God for all He has done and is yet to do! We are in the right place... somewhere along the high wire of life in Jesus.

Let's keep on track

We need the presence of God and loads of worship of Jesus to grow in Him and to see His glory revealed. But we can't camp there for too long before going out and engaging unsaved people with the view to letting them encounter God for themselves. We then bring them into connect, grow them and then they can reach more people and influence society. This is discipleship as expressed in our faith journey at HP Jozi. It may be packaged slightly differently in different churches but the principals of discipleship are biblical. They were the final words of Jesus- go make disciples. Steve Murrell in his new book accidental missionary spells it out much better that I can.

Children's Church lessons from Manila

We were so blessed to visit Manila and to spend time with some of their Children's Church people, and to visit a number of different sites. We asked many questions and made some important observations.
1. Their front desk/reception was very jacked and made parents feel that kids were valued and would be taken care of. They use an easy sticker system where the name of the child is written on the sticky side and given to the child and the other side goes to the parent who must produce it to claim child. The one church had a bar code system which is even better.
2. Their staff were very warm and welcoming and remembered our kids names very quickly.
3. The pastors love their kids and ministry and are sold out to it.
4. For special events where there may be many visitors they hand out an info page with the run down of the meeting, and even the name and cell of the team leader.
5. They have many volunteers who serve in teams once a month like us, and their team leaders meet once a month with their childrens pastor.
6. They have big budget and great venues that are very clean, safe, and child friendly. All have multi media and lights!
Challenges us to look at what we can do better in these areas. Didn't get to see actual ministry, but they do use big group and small groups to disciple their kids.

Manila's strength is its people. The Filipinos are so warm and friendly. Customer service is important and every where people speak to you. You realize that they value you visiting their city. Manila is huge and very busy. Mixture of run down and up market areas. never have you seen so much food and places to eat and the food is awesome! The roads are jammed and town planning has not coped with the constant influx of people from the provinces. Hairpin bends keep changing your direction and there are few traffic lights. Amazingly the people just hoot and drive but seldomly hit! Houses are built on every available space and they have villages which are walled in and boomed off for security. It is hot and sweaty but wonderful. The church is alive and the city is alive too. Quite a grey city, and can't say it is beautiful but the Filipinos make up for it.
Kuala Lampur, on the other hand, is beautiful and green. parks and flowers are everywhere even amidst the very modern buildings. This is a more international city and we met people from all over the world there. The transport system allows you to get around easily and the city centre is not huge, so you can walk a lot of it. People are friendly but you have to make the first moves. There are a lot of different homes, and many high rise condos. The city also contains some older areas from its interesting history. The national museum gives a great picture of the development of the area. Our favourite area was china town where you can get great bargains and interesting foods. The outskirts of the city are green and much more open.

EN2010

Started at the airport and the excitement was tangible as many South Africans and their Vuvuzelas made their way to the Philippines. On Arriving at the SMX centre in Manila the nations were everyone. During the practice for the parade of nations we were already in tears!!! Just seeing the Lord affirming nations and loving them was powerful. The whole way thru the conference this continued and there were moving moments of testimonies and prayer for nations particularly those in persecuted lands. To hear real people with faces get up and share about their sufferings but with such joy and resolute dedication to Jesus was amazing. The speakers represented the Every Nation concept and were brilliant in their own ways. The heart of God to transform lives, both of individuals and nations was evident and gave such hope and expectation for things to come. We left praising God for who He is and that He is indeed Lord of Every Nation. Rice challenged us to stay on track with campus focus, Jim to build safely and not at the expense of family, and Steve thru his new book and words to keep doing the same ole thing! DISCIPLESHIP! If we can engage the world and disciple new believers then the church will continue to grow and at EN2013 we will be with more than the 60 nations!!!!

Taare Zameen Par

No that's not just some made up words but the name of a Indian movie produced in 2007 by Aamir Khan of Bollywood fame. Last year I had caught the second half of it on SABC and managed this week to track it down from my Hindu friend. Our family sat down yesterday and were glued for three hours to the story of Ishaan, a boy with dyslexia. We cried... and were challenged... I don't want to give away the story line but just to say that every person working with children should be forced to watch this. It shows so beautifully and harshly the difference that we can make if we care, love and discover the truth of what is going on in children's lives. PLEASE watch it and cry with us! I will be hunting down my own copy from the oriental plaza.

Multigenerational ministry rulz OK?

Letty and Jesse both young ladies join us for an hour of prayer and our own kids nestle onto the mat and worship with us. Then kids rock up for the first prophetic art session, and the official meeting hasn't even started yet! More kids and teens roll in and we hand over to a teen to play a game, then move to looking at our faith journey with a powerpoint controlled by an 11 year old on the desk. After making prayer wheels we head to the Encounter Zone where 30 or more kids sit, kneel and lie all over the floor interceeding and you can feel the power turn up. Even some youth have joined us and then two 13 year old girls lead us in praise and worship of the King- Jesus- the focus of all we do. The meeting ends with a group of under 13's sharing prophetic words with their art and we all merrily vacate the building, whilst some head upstairs for the Youth meeting. Where are the adults,,, gladly a little in the background!

40 and looking better???

Very cool to be 40 and look better than I did at 20! There are many factors for sure. God's favour and blessing being tops. Living a Godly lifestyle, being happily married, and not drinking or smoking. Then there is doing what excites you rather than just working for bread and rent. There is balance and rhythm of working and relaxing. Then there is looking after your diet. I have not been good here, but in the last three or four years have made great strides. Staying away from fat and salts, keeping sugar down, and more importantly taking in fresh fruit and vegetables. Three years ago I started running and get out on the road 3 times a week. In November I joined Virgin Activ and go 3 times a week. It is awesome and builds muscles. The regular check ups of weight and blood pressure help you to monitor your health and I just find that you want to live healthy when you have been there. We also do it as a family, so it is a healthy pattern and legacy I want to leave my family. My parents ate badly and did very little exercise, and this is what they handed to us. My sisters suffer for it. BUT we can make a change, can't we? So to all you 40 year olds or close to it, take stock and do what you need to. Jo and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary this week and watched our wedding DVD. Many of the people have died, many are much fatter and look old when they actually aren't. So the challenge is out OK. This Tuesday I start a connect group for kids with a healty twist to it, a run and a chat... trying to pass on some new habits, I wish I had done in my youth.

City faces some fade some just don't

Amidst the many things kids could do in Jozi there is a holiday Club going on at Parkhurst Primary. Here a gang of crazy Jesus loving peeps are spending their week with a small group of kids, singing, playing soccer and laughing... but more importantly bringing ten or so of them to Jesus today!!! So aware that God is working to reach individuals one by one. Driving through the squalid city centre teeming with faces, we pick up three familiar ones. A young mom and her two beautiful twin girls. Trying to find them safe accomodation when HIV and unemployment has dealt them a heavy blow, they are individuals amidst the crowd. But we can't help everyone of the kids walking the pimp filled streets of Hillbrow... no but maybe we can just help these familiar faces. I still can see the beggar kid banging on my taxi window as i drove into Manila three years ago. I didn't help her. I can see the gang of street kids on Durban beach who we shared our fish and chips with, only to be mugged at knife point by them minutes later. Faces that stand out of the crowd in cities. Faces that we pray for and try to serve cos Jesus died for them and the Father loves them.

A world class African city... no lies... Ayoba!

left early with the boys and our food to get to Wits park and ride. Greeted with the utmost politeness and helpfulness, and ushered to the bus. The bus pulled off and seemingly ran out of petrol at the first traffic light but within minutes we were transferred to another. A steward explained where we should meet to return. The busses were spotless and friendly. On arrival at Soccer City we proceeded past organised informal hawkers and good SA food cooking. The police check was careful but again very cheerful. On arriving at the Stadium gates the security went out of their way to send us the best way to the right section. How awesome! Apart from the great match and the tragic ending, we were so proud of the whole event. The crowd was sober and well behaved and the walk back to the busses after midnight was fun. Plenty of kids and again the marshalls had us on the busses and back as fast as possible. Was a thrill to see white people walking in the city centre at 1 am! Thank you Jesus for answering prayers and long may we sustain this kind of service delivery to our public.
Home to a beautiful and still awake wife... and after a few hours of sleep 4 of us hit the road for a 10km run, again thru the beautiful scenery of Jozi- a worldclass african city!!!

Miracles continue for Manila

Amazing how God provides when He is behind something, and how He does it and the timing too. For three years we have trusted for our trip to Manila but He only needed to provide for the air tickets a month ago. Then we got an increase out of the blue to cover the hotels we needed, then today a family member who we seldomly have contact with decides to send us some money! People are the agents but God knows and provides for what He wants!

Time out to put time in

So important to take time out to a place where you have uninterupted time with God. Today was such a morning... off to the Botanical Gardens, one of my favourite places. Just walked around stopped and walked more.. enjoying the Lord and His creation. Read some awesome verses in Psalms and Acts and then ended up relooking at my week and that of Letty who works with us. Also preparing for Jesse joining us next year, so refining structures and always trying to make improvements for the ministry and those of us who serve in it. Management isn't easy but can be a lot of fun too. Also saw that I could fit in a discipleship connect every second Tuesday afternoon, and going to do it around fitness and invite kids for a 3 km run and then chat. Have to utelize the times we have to do God's work and it shifts from time to time. Can't handle people who have loads of time and do little...

Swaziland mission report

The hills of Bulembu ring out with the silent peace of God. What a beautiful town because of what God is doing there amongst the community and mainly with children. A children's pastors dream with 200 orphans and the goal to accomodate 2000 by 2020. Our team spent the week there running an amazing holiday club put together by my wonderful wife. the 160 kids who attended each day were so blessed. We shared the gospel, we taught on prayer, Bible reading and hearing God's voice and saw in the spiritual God breaking the chains and healing hearts. Our team loved the kids and built so well with them. Then we also visited different parts of the restoring town and heard inspiring stories. We broke down walls literally and painted and gardened. We looked after the creche for an afternoon and showed God Man to all the children in two different locations. We worked very hard but it was so rewarding. The Nevilles hosted us so well and we blessed them with fellowship and prayer. Having my nieces join with us was so cool to see. They of course live in Bulembu. Our team overcame personal hurdles and was a big happy family and we believe they will be different because of this. One kids said it was a week of total awesomeness, and he happily gave up his World Cup tickets to come on this mission. My son, Kenan asked if he could burn his passport so he could stay in Bulembu!
Driving thru the dark to share the gospel with kids is what missions are made of. A new chapter of Jozi Kidz missions has been birthed....

All Age Worship service rocked!

To worship God is the best thing on earth, and to do it in a great church surrounded by great people is such a blessing. I love His People Jozi. Was such a joy to be part of the worship team with Sandile and Mtha and to lead in a way that all ages could identify with the music. What a talented team of musicians. So proud of the way our kids worshipped, shared testimonies and contributed to this service. Mark preached so well and drew everyone in to his message. He is brilliant. Now that was Ayoba!!!

Cold hands but warm hearts as Jesus comes in!

It was worth getting out early, packing the car, and standing for 45 in freezing cold at the school gate to see about 15 kids giving their hearts to Jesus. God just took over as we worshipped Him in the cold hall with mostly unchurched kids. They needed little encouragement to respond and it shows how much God loves them and how KICK2010 is God's thing for this week. After this, none of the fist day niggles occurred and kids went home happy and excited. Our team served so well and we look forward to day 3 tomorrow.

We can feel it... in the air

Why did you spend the morning at the mall, asked my friend PY? Well it wasn't a normal morning in our beautiful country. I went to spend time with God in the midst of people that He loves. By 8am the vuvuzelas were blasting, there were people dancing, smiling, talking to each other! Even little Afrikaner grannies in Bafana Bafana jerseys interacting with young black men. Praise God! While at KFC I got to share Jesus with Mpho who works there and showed her that God provides and that she should look to Him. Gave her a prophetic painting from my little Mpho(Shaylah) and decided I needed to go and fetch my family so they could experience the colour and noise of the South Africans.
After lunch there, it was off to friends to watch the opening and brilliant game. Highlights were standing to sing the national anthem, and doing the victory dance when simphiwe scored!
This ain't the old SA but the new one of hope and possibility for intergration... we can feel it!

Missions morning

Every nation has its own appeal and needs... Each morning I try to pray for a country and today it was Serbia and Bosnia. I have many missionaries that I correspond with all over the place and they are heroes! From MAF pilots in Lesotho to ex team members like Neil in Sierra Leone and Joanne in Amsterdam. With two families of our children in Boston and one in Perth, we are seeing the fruit of our emphasis on the nations. Our prayers, and our mission Sundays are working. Looking so forward to travelling to Manila for the World Conference with our own kids and seeing Kuala Lumpur on the way back. Off to Swaziland with a team of 19 kids and adults in two weeks time... so we are doing our bit to see the glory of God spread to the whole earth. He promised it and never fails to deliver.

Soccer Fever

As I ran with my buddies in the media industry today we spoke soccer, I put on the radio and it was soccer. Yes we feel it, it is here! Our team parades today, tomorrow is the big concert, Friday is the opening and i predict SA vs Mexico 2-1 in our favour! Love the atmosphere and our country knows how to pull things off. Now to ministry and we do our last assembly for the term at 9am and next week is KICK2010 our holiday club and we hope to capitalize on the soccer to bring the focus on to Jesus. Like Kaka says, the ultimate goal is not soccer but to know the one who is the ultimate- Jesus Christ. Let us enjoy and make the most of this season.. as Mama G in our church said on Sunday "Can you feel it, the Holy Spirit is here!"

Early morning devotions in winter

The alarm goes off, and as you reach thru the dark and click the light blinds you as you read 5am! Reach for the jersey and pillow and sit up in bed. That's when the love of Jesus comes screaming in, and I think how awesome is it to be a christian. I pray, journal, pray, journal, read scripture, praise, check diary, send a few sms messages to draft, to send later! Oh how good it is to know the Lord. Today woke up from a dream with the message we are marked by God. Marked by the fact that we are just matter, carbon molecules but with the God ordained DNA strand that makes us who we are. Marked for His purposes, nothing wasted, every gift in place. Marked by parents, friends, world experience but then marked by the one who was marked for us. The marks all over His body, the marks in His hands and feet... How can we not embrace this and live to thrill Him today. Certainly worth lifting the sheets for!

Kidz are important to God

Spent my whole day serving kidz, cos they matter to God. Firstly at Craighall Primary doing an assembly and hanging out, and then at Vuleka with two groups. Shared how God loves them and died for them. Struck by just how much He cares for each one. Then this afternoon and evening we served at Jozi Lights. What a privilege we have to look after them. Our team did so well and Letty excelled in her preaching tonight. Raised funds with a family movie nite, again to help us go to Swaziland to serve kidz that are important to God!

Here we go...

Ever wondered who would listen to your waffles? well so have I, and wondering it now but here we go... Let's see who finds my thoughts interesting and worth a read. Been looking at google maps of Manila and Kuala Lumpur and checking out hotels in KL. Can u believe it, just about 6 weeks we will land as a family in KL then connect to Manila for the World Conference! Been a three year dream since I was there in 07. Now it's with the whole family and God has supplied the finances. On the way back we get 3 nites in KL. What an experience and how excited we all are. Before that however, we have 2 Holiday Clubs and a Mission to Swaziland to lead, much regular ministry to enjoy and of course lots of soccer to watch. Will keep you all posted. In the morning doing two assemblies, one a promo for Kick 2010, and one on child safety. OK now I am waffling but that's what this is all about...