Calls for our Allegiance

These words were written by my friend John van de Laar many years ago, but they are still relevant for this moment in our history. Palm Sunday is not just an event that happened for Jesus, but rather it is a reminder that we are bombarded with calls for our allegiance everyday Voices shout for us to bow the knee to this leader, this ideology, this rhetoric, this political affiliation. However, in the end, the thing that matters is how we will respond to the true Christ - the servant King?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

“Jesus Christ, whose greatest moments of triumph happen
on the back of a donkey’s foal
and nailed to a bloody cross,
We gather to prepare the way for you
in our lives and in our world.

There are so many people and things that call for our allegiance,
so many kings seeking to rule over us.
But, you ride into our experience as another kind of monarch
a serving, humble and challenging leader
who calls us not to slavery, but friendship.

There are so many things that seek our energy and resources for their own sakes
so many empires seeking our souls for their own glory.
But, you ride into our experience heralding another kind of reign
a realm where the least are the greatest,
where the meek inherit the earth
and where children are the best example of citizenship.
a domain which seeks to bring life, not drain it.

There are so many things that draw our attention.
So many realities that seek our faith and assent.
But, you ride into our experience revealing another kind of reality
a reality where death does not have the last word.
a reality where pride, selfishness and evil are defeated
by love and self-giving.
a reality which does not parade itself for all to see,
but fills every moment, every situation and everything with life,
while waiting for us to discover it.

And so, we cry, from our hearts
Hosanna, save us.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.
Amen.”

John can de Laar (www.sacredise.com)

 

Puzzling Reflections

It is interesting how we come to hear 'popular' Scripture passages at certain events and celebrations. Take for example, 1 Corinthians 13. A number of couples I have guided through their wedding ceremonies have asked for this passage to be read. While it is certainly an appropriate scripture, we don't usually get the time to cover all 13 verses in adequate depth, and so perhaps we miss out on other relevant messages. 

Take for example, verse 12: 

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

Today, I was asked to preach on 1 Corinthians 13 at a Memorial service, and this verse immediately took on a different meaning for me.  In this life, we are given an imperfect glimpse into the eternal life. We have an idea of what heaven could be like and it is as if we are looking at a puzzling reflection in a mirror. We can only see a part of what is to come and that is enough to allow us to live in faith.

However, when we get to meet Christ, face-to-face, everything will become crystal clear. We will see and know everything completely and we will be KNOWN by Jesus completely. There will be no more guessing or ambiguity. 

Does that make any sense to you? How does it make you feel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Reflections on 2018

 

As I reflect back on this year I want to echo the words of the Psalmist - "God - I can't thank you enough!" 
In making the huge move from Pietermaritzburg to Fish Hoek in December 2017, there were many days where I felt out of my depth, unsure of myself, unsettled and on a STEEP learning curve. However, through all of these moments, I have always felt the strength of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit. People have been incredibly loving and kind to our family in our new home; old friends have stayed in touch and this has certainly kept our spirits up during the tough days; and of course our family have been a truly solid rock of support and love. In all of this, I am humbled and blessed - I say again:
"Lord, thank you. You did it!"


"You did it: you changed wild lament
    into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
    and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
    I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,    I can’t thank you enough." - Psalm 30:11-12 (Message)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Taking Stock

^"Let us examine ourselves instead, and let us repent and turn again to the Lord. ⁴¹ Let us lift our hearts and hands to him in heaven, ⁴² for we have sinned; we have rebelled against the Lord, and he has not forgotten it." - Lamentations 3:40-42

We are currently on a District Minister's Retreat and we have been invited to take stock of our relationship with God - it has been a wonderful experience, although very challenging. Jeremiah invited the people of God to "examine themselves" and to then turn back to God. This is a hard thing to do, but very necessary. When last did you "honestly" examine your spiritual life?

2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/reflection.html

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/reflection.html

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Best is still to come

As we say goodbye to 2015, with all it's laughter, tears, celebration and pain, may I remind us of the promise of a new beginning - a new year brings new opportunities and new possibilities.

Wouldn't it be awesome if 2016 was much better than this year?
Wouldn't it be incredible if our pains from this year were cut in half & our JOYS were doubled!?
Wouldn't it be terrific if our relationship with Jesus became more real this year?

Perhaps you want to add your own comments in this next one:
Wouldn't it be great if _______________________?

As we contemplate a new year, may our prayer be something like this:

"Thank you Lord for all that has past in 2015. We trust in your goodness and mercy for 2016 and we hold onto the promise that in Jesus name, the BEST it still to come. Amen."


Living in Grace
D3LM3

How things change

Now that I have come of age (nice way of saying "getting old"), I have been reflecting on how things have changed over the last 40 years. Take for example the price of things - one forgets how quickly things get more expensive. Here are a few examples of the drastic change in prices.

In 1972, these were the following costs:
Average house price - R17000
Cheeseburger - 28c
Cup of coffee -12c
Steak and chips at restaurant - R1.20
Glass of Coke - 12c

Wow!

Please tell me your stories of how prices have changed in your lifetime. I would love to know!

The point of this blogpost is to remind us of the fact that despite how things change over time, God never changes!

May you know the love and security of God's love today.

Living in grace
D3LM3

Year in Review

So how has 2010 really been for you? Difficult, memorable, awesome, challenging? If you had to choose a word to describe this year, what word would you choose?
I think I am going to choose... 'Defining!'

There have been some really tough things to deal with in 2010, but we have also been blessed with some wonderful memories. However, there have been a few things that have been 'defining' for me:

1. Writing and publishing NOW
2. Celebrating Easter in our new Church building
3. Enjoying the World Cup soccer with my family
4. Deciding to commit to stay at Wesley until 2013
5. Listening to Trevor Hudson's sessions at our Minister's Seminar
6. Saying sad goodbyes to awesome friends and colleagues at Wesley

Obviously, there are many other events that had impacted my life, but these six I have mentioned have changed me in some way. Amidst the pain and loss, there have been moments of celebration.

I thank God for my wonderful family and great friends. I am blessed to be a child of the King.

May God bless you abundantly in 2011. Thanks for your support in reading these daily thoughts - this blog is nothing without your interaction and encouragement.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Time for a service

All cars need to have regular services in order for them to function effectively. If we don't take them for these services then they will start to perform below their optimum.

The same applies in our spiritual lives. We need to discern the signs of our own spiritual well-being and if we are needing a little fine-tuning, then it is best to do this soon. This is what I will be doing on Monday and Tuesday. I will be going for a spiritual check-up. It is the right time. Two days of spiritual restoration is in order - it is time to clear my diary and to spend time with Jesus.

Exodus 33:14 - The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

How is your spiritual engine going?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

My decade in review

After seeing some really great 'decades' in review, from a few friends, I have decided to follow suit. So here is my last ten years in very abbreviated form:

1999 - Kim and I got married. Finished 5th year at Bryanston Methodist as a Youth Pastor.
2000 - Travelled and worked in the UK.
2001 - Worked in UK and then travelled around the world.
2002 - Started ministry in Somerset West and finished my first year of ministerial studies. Declan was born in the December.
2003 - Finished my degree at John Wesley College in Pretoria and assisted at North Rand Methodist.
2004 - Moved to Dalton Methodist. Nathan was born. Completed my Honours degree.
2005 - Continued at DMC, started my Masters in Theology.
2006 - Completed Masters, Ordained as a Minister, finished at DMC.
2007 - Started at Wesley Methodist in PMB. Visited family in UK and started writing book.
2008 - Joshua born in March. 'Living Oceans Apart' published & launched in November.
2009 - Mission trip to Ubombo, took up blogging seriously, celebrated 10 year wedding anniversary, & got to visit Sabi Sabi.

Whew, after all of that, I suddenly feel tired! There is so much more I could have written, but that would take up many more pages.

God has been incredibly gracious to me over the past 10 years, especially with my fantastic family. God has brought some amazing people into my life and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many great people (yes, that includes you!).

It is amazing to see how all of our lives can change, without us even perceiving HOW and WHEN.

"No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
No mind has conceived,
what God has in store for those who love him..." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

BRING ON THE NEXT DECADE!

May we all start 2010 Living in Grace,
D3LM3

200th Post

I know that I am only a tiny spec in the Blogosphere, and my mere 200th post is nothing compared to Seth Godin or Chris Brogan, but I want to reaffirm my purpose in blogging.

I do this to inspire, motivate, encourage and bless anyone who is willing to read these simple words of mine. I have been 'marked' by God's Grace and my greatest desire is not to let His Grace go to waste (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Thank you for your willingness to allow my thoughts to 'infiltrate' your world.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

What were you doing on that day?

Today is the 24th June - cast your minds back to 1995 and can you remember what you were doing in the afternoon of the 24th June? Do you remember? I was watching the World Cup Rugby final with a whole bunch of friends. I remember the feelings of joy and euphoria as Franscois Pienaar lifted the trophy, with Nelson Mandela standing alongside him, also in his No.6 jersey. That day will live long in our memories.

But, what I am challenged by today - the 24th June 2009, is these two questions:
'What is different about my country, 14 years later?'
'What is different about me, 14 years later?'

Without going into too much detail, I would have to say that a simple answer to both questions is this: 'Lots has changed, but plenty has stayed the same!'
In our country, we are still battling racism, sexism, poverty, crime, unemployment, corruption, abuse etc. So, even a change in government and 2 World Cup Rugby wins has brought zero change to the lives of some people. '14 years later' may as well be 'yesterday' for them.

However, all is not doom and gloom. As Christ-followers we remember a significant event that took place around 30AD. There were no medals handed out that day, although there were lots of people in the crowd cheering and shouting. Jesus death on the cross and his subsequent Resurrection left an indellible mark on the world. For those of us who believe, we are changed - we cannot be the same anymore. Sadly, there will be many who will be unmoved through Jesus' sacrifice.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. This speaks of his faithfulness, his consistency, his security. But, God calls us to renewed daily - changed on an ongoing basis. We are challenged not to remain the same (in some ways) - to made more into the image of Jesus Christ. That's a huge challenge for me. How about you? Are you different 14 years later?!

Only by Grace,
D3LM3

Have I changed?

Last night I watched South Africa lose the T20 semi-final - it seemed inevitable, I guess. Anyway, I watched until the 'bitter-end' and then casually flicked through the channels until I came to the Soccer. Sounds pretty ordinary, hey? Well, here is the thing - I was a little sad that we lost the cricket, but my attitude was 'well, that's life!' That's when it hit me that my attitude towards the outcome of sporting games is slowly mellowing - at last! Or maybe I am just getting old....no, that can't be it!

I still remember tossing and turning in my sleep the night we lost in the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup cricket. That night I thought I was going to go crazy - I kept re-living that last disastrous run-out, even dreaming that I was playing and that I had made the run and we had won. The days that followed that event left me feeling bleak. The same thing happened after we lost the Super 14 final in the dying seconds - bleakness and disappointment.

In the end - we all realise that Sport is not 'Life' - in may ways, it is a glorious escape from Life and I see no harm in enjoying ourselves through sport. However, for me, it worried me that often I would be more 'gutted' and 'bleak' after a sporting loss than I was about some forms of injustice.

So, in the end, I think that God has been quietly doing a work in me - and I am slowly seeing the 'bigger' picture. So, we lost a cricket game! Life goes on and I managed to lose no sleep - yeah!

Let His Grace change our hearts. The more we allow His grace to pour into our hearts the more He will deal with our sin.
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

A different view on things...

In reading a William Barclay commentary on Ephesians I came across these words - "To suffer for Christ is NOT a penalty; it is our glory, for it is to share in the sufferings of Christ himself and an opportunity to demonstrate the reality of our loyalty to him."
Wow, these are indeed challenging thoughts for us. It seems as if these words were written for another time and place, yet they can be relevant for us now. It is not as if suffering doesn't happen in our modern times, it is more that we have brought into the false notion that somehow suffering would bypass us. I am not entirely sure where this thinking comes from, but modern Christians (and especially us in the Western-type Church)need to re-assess what it means to 'pick up our crosses and to follow Jesus.'
Apparently when some of King Arthurs knights used to come to the Round Table, they used to come asking for 'dangers to face and dragons to conquer.' As believers we will face many dangers and dragons - thankfully we have a God who has helped us to overcome and who has given us the Ultimate Victory.
May you have enough of the Spirit of God today to realise that you can conquer dragons. Jesus is with you.
Rest in His grace.
D3LM3