An ordinary, radically fundamental follower of Christ

Hey folks out there in www land. I am currently ploughing (literally) through a book by a young man called Shane Claiborne called "The irresistable revolution" (ISBN-10 0-310-26630-0, or ISBN-13 978-0-310-26630-3; publisher Zondervan,or look on www.zondervan.com).

Not wishing to give you a synopsis, as you should read it yourselves, but it sure highlights a few things in our day-to-day lives as so called Christians, which may want to make you rethink your own self assessment of "are you really following God's calling?" But then on the other hand, why am I botthering with this blog? Well, first I was slightly PUSHed (as in Pray Until Something Happens) by Brian Huston of Hillsong Church last monday evening, and secondly just to give you a flavour of the book, let us use the above Title as a guide:

An = one of many, undetermined number
Ordinary = very common, nothing special, run of the mill
Radically = going back to the roots, assessing from the beginning, cutting out the shrubs and undergrowth to see the wood (so to speak)
Fundamental = what is the basis, the foundation, the initial starting point, the cause
Follower = comes after, copies what went before, immitator
Of = belonging to, linked with
Christ = Son of God, Messiah

'nuff said?

Well for now in any case...

Taking God seriously or not?

In response to the usual participation of the church at a prayer event I came out with the following article for the monthly "Forward" November 2006. We had planned the Prayer Event with the current start-up phase of the church building project, and about 20 peoples came throughout a 12 hour period on a saturday to focus on this... ... ...

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46.10

Praying, whilst walking to the station (or somewhere else) early in the morning can be a good thing, asking for protection for the day and watch over the children, be with this church family (as I walk past their house), occasionally even venturing to praying Jabez prayer in “Bless me Lord” (1.Chron.4.10), work in the hearts of the people of Sevenoaks, let there be a revival, I can often forget that there are two other forms of prayer through which God can, and does work in our lives.

There is the what I would call the “Panic prayer” when in a moment of total despondency, or helplessness, I turn to the Lord and hand it all to Him, at least for the moment. Or when another minor crisis surfaces and I am not sure what to do, then a quick cry for guidance escapes my thoughts.

But, there is yet also another powerful praying habit, which can be experienced, especially when we go to our room, closing the door, shutting the world out and then just stopping all that babbling (Matthew 6.6-7). Taking time, literally, in gaining quietude, calmness and rest in our wandering thoughts. Sometimes this can take five minutes, sometimes an hour (!) before one is really calm, the world of the day left behind, and then with that quiet frame of mind, I can turn to the prayer need with which I wished to come to God. Whether it is outreach actions and ideas for Sevenoaks, or our church building project, or even how shall I prepare for the coming Soul Purpose evening, it is in taking the time in coming to God, that strangely enough (or not so strange) the answer comes. As it says in Isaiah 30.15 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”

Now going into a room does not necessarily mean at home. The same affect is reached when going on a retreat for a day, or coming to church – and not just for the regular church services. In the church building that quietude and peace is probably easier to achieve than at home. But then in our busy lives, with thirteen hours or more per day outside the family, one could think that the time could well be better spend. And yet, what did Jesus say to Peter, James and John: “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26.40). And JC was not one lacking in going for quietude (Mark 1.35; Matthew 14.23; Luke 6.12; Luke 9.18; Luke 22.41). Should we not also follow his example more often?

How serious am I really, when talking with God?

Lamadvav Tzaddikim

or if you like the 36 Righteous Men on planet earth, who uphold this planet from being totally destroyed. Having just finished reading the novel/book by Sam Bourne with the name "The Righteous Men" I was intrigued to find out a bit more about the tzaddikim and looked them up on google (where else). And it is amazing to read some on this jewish /hebrew legend. Check it out for yourself !!

The book by the way is an easy read, with some foul (quite unecessary) language), but thrilling too.

From a christian view point, as we believe that one man died for all, so why not have 36 out of 6 Billion, holding up the justness ? Not advocating the truth or legend aspect, just the number of it. And it is an interesting concept the author tries to highlight, that when all 36 are killed in a certain time period, the end of the world as we know it would arrive, and the vision of John would start as described in Revelation.

Furthermore, since the rise of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, I wonder if it has also struck you the increase in the number of novells which have hit the bookstores these past years, following the same sort of argumentation (Lucifer's Code; The last Templars; The Messiah Code; The Labyrinth; just to mention a few) as Dan Brown's book. Also interesting that no furour has arisen from his "Angel and Demons" novell, or even "Digital Fortress". But then again mankind is rather fickle ...

Godly Economics

Some chap called Jim Elliot once said, and I quote:

"It is better to give away that which you cannot keep, so as to gain that which you cannot loose"

Could be right out of Solomons book of Proverbs et al. And then apply it to the tything principle as well as any other approach like serving, thinking, PRAYING even !!! and you will most definitely be surprised by the results.

So PUSH today
PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens

The Servant King 31.08.2006

Some people feel like a small pebble lost in the immensity of the Grand Canyon. But no matter how insignificant we judge ourselves to be, we can be greatly used by God.

In a sermon early in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. quoted Jesus' words from Mark 10 about servant hood. Then he said, "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. . . . You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."

When Jesus' disciples quarrelled about who would get the places of honour in heaven, He told them: "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43-45).

I wonder about us. Is that our understanding of greatness? Are we gladly serving, doing tasks that may be unnoticed? Is the purpose of our serving to please our Lord, rather than to gain the applause of people? If we are willing to be a servant, we can achieve true greatness.

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43-45


The Servant KingBy Graham Kendrick © 1983 Kingsway's Thankyou Music.

From heaven you came, helpless babe,
Entered our world, your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve,
And give Your life That we might live.

This is our God, the servant king,
He calls us now to follow Him, to bring our lives
As a daily offering of worship to the Servant King.

There in the garden of tears,
My heavy load He chose to bear;
His heart with sorrow was torn,
'Yet not My will But Yours,' He said.

Come see His hands And His feet,
The scars that speak of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars Into space
To cruel nails Surrendered.

So let us learn How to serve,
And in our lives Enthrone Him;
Each other's needs to prefer,
For it is Christ We're serving.

This is our God, the servant king,
He calls us now to follow Him, to bring our lives
As a daily offering of worship to the Servant King.

Go buy a tent (29.08.2006)

Hmm, as taken from my daily reading notes, a different perspective on being a nomad.

In the OT Moses did something we need to do: "Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting". Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent ... (Ex.33.7). And what would happen in that tent? 'The lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend' (Ex.33.11)

Face-to-Face time with God, that's what we need more and more of. Turn off that mobile, sell that tv and dvd player, and go and buy a tent.

And what did they talk about in that tent?

Moses prayed:
(a) let me know whom you will send with me (Ex.33.12) It is very true that some of the problems we experience are due to the people around us, who are influincing us.
(b) teach me your ways (Ex.33.13). Obviously when 'my way' doesn't appear to be working too well, I need to get God's input
(c) so I may know you (Ex.33.13) This word 'know' is not of a casual acquaintance, it is intimacy between two people. Hmm, so how well do you know God?
(d) so I may continue to find favour with you (Ex.33.13) God's favour one just must have. It opens doors, gives one the advantage, and even influences people before one speaks a single word.

And God's reply in that tent was:
"I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name" (Ex.33.17)

So, how would you like to be on a first name basis with God? Well then, GO BUY A TENT!

as found on the internet 29.08.2006

Those that think it permissible to tell white lies soon grow color blind.” [Austin O’Malley]