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.