What does the Banner say?

In ancient times a Banner or Flag represented many things.Among others, it told of Royalty, Possession, Family line, Allegiance and of course Victory. When Solomon writes of a 'Banner of Love', I think he is suggesting that the 'lover' gladly display his love for his partner, by hanging a Banner for all to see. That Banner is the symbol of love. 


"Let him lead me to the banquet hall,
    and let his banner over me be love." - Song of Solomon 2:4

Of course, God has already done this for us in showing us the great display of his love for us - and at the Cross, God's 'banner of love' was lifted up for all to see. Thanks be to God.

"Not indifference, not doubt, not guilt, can put out the fire of God's love in and for us. His love will burn deep into our lives, penetrating habits and dreams until it ascends into flames of joyous adoration." - Eugene Peterson

Live today knowing that God's banner over you is LOVE.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Emmaus Walk

In one of his post Resurrection appearances Jesus encounters the 2 men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). As Jesus shares about his life and death, the two men suddenly become aware of who he is and their lives are changed. It is such a wonderful story to read and if you haven't read it before, please read it today - I have attached it at the bottom of this post.

Today, I have the privilege of going on an Emmaus Walk and will be sharing with many wonderful people from around Kwazulu Natal. The Emmaus movement began as a weekend of spiritual renewal, offering people a chance to encounter Jesus, along similar lines to the 2 men in Luke 24. It is such a blessed weekend and we would covet your prayers for all of us who are leading/attending this time away.

If you have even been on an Emmaus Walk please reply to this post and let me know of your stories from the weekend - I would love to hear them.

May we all walk close to Jesus today and tune our ears to hear his voice.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.
¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Serving others in our neighbourhood

There are so many people in our world in need. In Africa we can see the need all around us and sometimes various Churches heed the call and get involved in serving others. This can be by going on mission trips to other countries or even by serving the poor locally. This year our Church community desires to focus on the needs closer to home - the needs in our city. So, we have decided to narrow our focus a little and to get involved in a few projects closer to our doorstep. Sure, there is still merit in going abroad to do mission (and if this is your call, then do it), but sometimes we miss the needs near our own community.

Scot McKnight has an interesting take on this. Read what he says and let me know your comments:

“Why do so many today want to wander off to South Africa or Kenya or India or Russia or Honduras or Costa Rica or Peru to help with justice issues but not spend the same effort in their own neighborhood or community or state? Why do young suburbanites, say in Chicago, want to go to Kentucky or Tennessee to help people but not want to spend that same time to go to the inner city in their own area to help with justice issues? I asked this question to a mature student in my office one day, and he thought he had a partial explanation: 'Because my generation is searching for experiences, and the more exotic and extreme the better. Going down the street to help at a food shelter is good and it is just and some of us are doing that, but it's not an experience. We want experiences.”

Is our mission about an 'experience' or about serving Jesus and others?
Worth thinking about!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Favourite Psalm

Most Christians have a favourite Psalm. Come to think of it, many non-church goers also have a favourite Psalm - usually it's Psalm 23, but we can all relate to it's words - their power goes beyond the walls of the Church.

I am no different - I also have a few favourites. In no particular order, here are a few of them:

Psalm 46
Psalm 91
Psalm 8
Psalm 139
Psalm 40
Psalm 103

I will be sharing from Psalm 121 tomorrow at a memorial service - it speaks volumes into our grief and struggles. Here is a version of it from the Living Bible - I love it!

Shall I look to the mountain gods for help? ² No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too! ^3-4 He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping. ⁵ Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender.⁶ He protects you day and night. ⁷ He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. ⁸ He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

Be blessed and PLEASE send me a message telling me your favourite Psalm.

Living in Grace
D3LM3