Recently, Ron has formed a group made up of some of those we have worked with and has named the group, "Africa's Mighty Men". He has put them all in contact with each other to encourage them and to help them network for future ministry. Ron also asked them to each say something about their opinion of our Empower Africa Christian Leadership Conferences (EACLC) of how they have been of help to them. These are the responses.
Quotations from Africa’s Mighty Men
“I think the Empower Africa Christian Leadership Conferences are what we were lacking in Africa. So many things have been done, but not many have empowered Africans with knowledge which is deep, which is very new to us, which propels us to do more for God. Many things have changed in my life as a result, e.g., prayer and reading of the word.” Rex Chipoya, Zambia
“EACLC’s came as a powerful prophetic message and tool to raise me up and be better positioned in God’s will. My leaders and I will never be the same again.” Rev. John N. Mutandwa, Zimbabwe
“The Empower Africa Christian Leadership Conferences are one of the best short term training programs we have ever had in this part of Africa. We are grateful to God for your availability to provide the much needed equipping to be the best God wants us to be in ministry.” Andrew Abah, Nigeria
“Leadership is not about the position you have but is based on how much and far you can influence others to change. Who I am is of more value than what I do.”
Pierre Dianda, Democratic Republic of the Congo
“Together we can achieve much more than we ever could on our own. Let us join together and tell the nations that Christ is for all.” Albert Rwagasore, Rwanda
“It’a great privilege for us all to be involved in our Creator’s work. Indeed, it is another wonderful thing to hear of a beloved brother, and brothers working on the other side of national borderlines. May the Lord continue to supply favor, mercies, grace, and sustaining ability to you for the development of our lives together. I do not know any one of you and neither have I heard of you from any one. I think it is very likely that you are in the same situation. I see this as an opportunity to work together as a team, or better yet, form a kind of network to bring honor and glory to our God, benefit our work and to lift the Church of Christ to the Lord without any more barriers. I sincerely appreciate every one of you in His vineyard. May He see us through as we move ahead and may He bring us together at His own time for the benefit of us all.” Fred Adigun Emmanuel, Nigeria
“This is honestly a good initiative, it's a tool for monitoring the impact and progress of Empower Africa Christian Leadership Conferences. Concerning my own opinion, EACLC is like a source of refreshing water often ignored by thirsty people. It's like a sharpening stone that farmers use to sharpen their machetes and knives for the better service. I recommend all leaders thirsty to go and taste; they will be well-fed and not return as empty vessels. EACLC is a spiritually refreshing course and the instructors are qualified to provide quality teachings.” Ananias Sentozi, Rwanda
“I'd like to thank you again for your gift, the book "Rise to Seek Him". You cannot imagine the revolution this book has brought in our prayer lives. The results are beyond expectation, wonderful, and great. The EACLCs are for us what the Manna was to the people of Israel in the desert. Praise God for the EACLCs! They have come at the appointed time in Africa. They are really the ministry developers".
Moise Ngondombo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
“I strongly believe that the future of the church lies in the development of African Christian leaders. Therefore the Empower Africa Christian Leadership Conferences plays a pivotal role in equipping the Africa church leaders for ministry in this continent.” Colin Makoni, Zimbabwe.
“It is a fact that the Church is growing rapidly in Africa. And to prevent the Adversary from planting his seeds among us, we need tools that empower us to do the work with confidence. May the Lord help Empower African Leadership Conferences to continue to play this role successfully.” Yvon Pierre Ibata, Brazzaville-CONGO
“Praise God for awakening his servants to learn to "Dig for diamonds." In the village, we recently met two different groups of pastors and evangelists (55 of each men and women for a total of 110) who were thirsty and hungry for knowledge of the Word of God. They attended faithfully during the five days for each group. And, glory be to God, in His faithfulness, He mightily used us! I, personally, in my preparation of teaching found myself much influenced by what I learned at an EACLC, especially "Bible Study as Preparation for Teaching and Preaching: How to dig for diamonds in the Word of God as preparation for better preaching/teaching.
"Surprisingly, after the teachings, my fellow trainers and students were all curious, asking me where I got these skills. Proudly, I frankly revealed that I was taught, equipped, and sharpened by fine people of God Drs Ron and Char and that not myself alone, but also thousands of Africans have already received this training. Right now others are undergoing the training and in the future many others will too. I want to let many know that I believe that the EACLC has tackled the heavier issue of leadership development, the lack of which in the past has ruined Africa for years. All corners of our continent desperately need EACLC teachings. I believe that thorough this way God Himself has chosen, raised up, and is using EACLC lecturers to fulfill His will for current Leadership development in Africa. Let’s dig for diamonds.” Michel Gasare, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Monday, March 2, 2009
Africa Adventures Recent Report
“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’ I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”
Psalm 118:15-17
December, January Summer/Winter Break
Our time in the States, with family in DC for three weeks in December and with friends and encouragers in Oklahoma for three weeks in January, was excellent! With six grandchildren, two sons, and one wonderful daughter-in-law to enjoy, and Char’s siblings and others visiting with us for several days, the time went too quickly. We rejoice that all is going well for them even as it is with their souls. This frees us from worry about our families while we are in Africa. Tulsa was a whirlwind as we shared our adventures, visited with our great friends, and shopped for a year’s worth of needed supplies. Ron finished editing book number three and was able to move it forward toward publishing. It was not very difficult to leave the cold of winter and return to South Africa’s summer! J We returned to our little Pretoria “flat” for just a few days and recovered from jet-lag (Char nursing a cough) while getting ready for our next missionary adventure.
February Burundi Conferences
We flew into Bujumbura, the capitol, this time, instead of driving south from Uganda and Rwanda as we did 15 months ago. Bujumbura rests on a plain at the edge of a beautiful lake, and is bordered to the north by lovely lush green mountains. We were met at the airport by our dear brothers and sisters and the party began. At first we regretted bringing warmer clothes, but as we drove north into the mountains, we realized that our memories had served us right and that it was still winter in Burundi. Winter? Rather like North American spring or fall days, cool and pleasant with occasional rain and cold winds. We hear it can get really hot in the summer.
It was a busy and productive time in Ngozi and some of its surrounding villages. We were slated to hold nineteen days straight (February 1 – 19) of one-day meetings. This was a departure, however, from our normal routine of conducting three-day, fifteen-session Empower Africa Christian Leadership conferences (EACLCs). We were certainly glad to have prepared new materials, which is our continuing normal practice. We preached in six three-to-four hour long church services and taught three hours in each of two men’s, two women’s and two youth conferences. All were well received by teachable and hungry listeners. Then our five days of conference with pastors and leaders was especially fruitful. With no Bible school in the area, these hungry leaders pulled our teachings out of us. These events afforded fruitful ministry times with many, but, as usual, particularly with the pastors/leaders. We kept two interpreters very busy.
Ron felt impressed several times to offer to go to the local prison and speak. Then our host was called to the local province governor’s office to talk, of all things, about a prison ministry. Ron volunteered and officials arranged a special four-hour meeting. The Ngozi Men’s Prison facilitates houses 5,000 male offenders from the surrounding five provinces plus another section for the women. Our group ministered to the 4 to 5 hundred men prisoners squeezed into a mid-sized courtyard. One of the church choirs, including their babies and babysitters, and several church leaders and pastors went with us, so about 60 of us filled one end of the yard. We two white people always cause such a stir everywhere we go; this was no exception. To everyone’s delight the Christian prisoners of the “church” in the prison sang and danced, and then the choir with us did the same thing. Ron spoke twice, using drama and visuals challenging the inmates towards self-reliance and to put their faith in God. Between 50 and 60 persons (including a woman from the church choir) responded to the altar call. We were able to mingle and pray for them, then personally greet and encourage many of them. We have already received good reports from our host pastor.
Burundi is much like Rwanda, to the north, mountainous, green, and rainy with fertile soil. Yet both nations are economically impoverished, Burundi more than Rwanda. Thousands of people live at the poverty level, in many cases because of recent wars and genocides. It is heart-rending to see the child beggars on the streets, many of them war orphans. Yet, the opportunity for powerful ministry is overwhelming. May God bless them abundantly as they seek to live according to His Word.
Departure Adventure
We experienced some trauma the last hours there because the driver would not take us to the airport until we paid him more money. He drove us to the bank; not the airport. We arrived at the airport 20 minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off and the Lord, and the Kenya Airlines staff, graciously helped us quickly through the boarding process. Thank you for praying for us. We feel the effects of your prayers when close calls like this occur. May the Lord richly bless you.
We are scheduled to leave March 4th for Lagos where we will be working for 7 weeks and returning to Pretoria on April 24th. Thanks again for praying for the Meyers on Mondays. We are praying for you, too, that God will bless you big time!
Ron and Char
Psalm 118:15-17
December, January Summer/Winter Break
Our time in the States, with family in DC for three weeks in December and with friends and encouragers in Oklahoma for three weeks in January, was excellent! With six grandchildren, two sons, and one wonderful daughter-in-law to enjoy, and Char’s siblings and others visiting with us for several days, the time went too quickly. We rejoice that all is going well for them even as it is with their souls. This frees us from worry about our families while we are in Africa. Tulsa was a whirlwind as we shared our adventures, visited with our great friends, and shopped for a year’s worth of needed supplies. Ron finished editing book number three and was able to move it forward toward publishing. It was not very difficult to leave the cold of winter and return to South Africa’s summer! J We returned to our little Pretoria “flat” for just a few days and recovered from jet-lag (Char nursing a cough) while getting ready for our next missionary adventure.
February Burundi Conferences
We flew into Bujumbura, the capitol, this time, instead of driving south from Uganda and Rwanda as we did 15 months ago. Bujumbura rests on a plain at the edge of a beautiful lake, and is bordered to the north by lovely lush green mountains. We were met at the airport by our dear brothers and sisters and the party began. At first we regretted bringing warmer clothes, but as we drove north into the mountains, we realized that our memories had served us right and that it was still winter in Burundi. Winter? Rather like North American spring or fall days, cool and pleasant with occasional rain and cold winds. We hear it can get really hot in the summer.
It was a busy and productive time in Ngozi and some of its surrounding villages. We were slated to hold nineteen days straight (February 1 – 19) of one-day meetings. This was a departure, however, from our normal routine of conducting three-day, fifteen-session Empower Africa Christian Leadership conferences (EACLCs). We were certainly glad to have prepared new materials, which is our continuing normal practice. We preached in six three-to-four hour long church services and taught three hours in each of two men’s, two women’s and two youth conferences. All were well received by teachable and hungry listeners. Then our five days of conference with pastors and leaders was especially fruitful. With no Bible school in the area, these hungry leaders pulled our teachings out of us. These events afforded fruitful ministry times with many, but, as usual, particularly with the pastors/leaders. We kept two interpreters very busy.
Ron felt impressed several times to offer to go to the local prison and speak. Then our host was called to the local province governor’s office to talk, of all things, about a prison ministry. Ron volunteered and officials arranged a special four-hour meeting. The Ngozi Men’s Prison facilitates houses 5,000 male offenders from the surrounding five provinces plus another section for the women. Our group ministered to the 4 to 5 hundred men prisoners squeezed into a mid-sized courtyard. One of the church choirs, including their babies and babysitters, and several church leaders and pastors went with us, so about 60 of us filled one end of the yard. We two white people always cause such a stir everywhere we go; this was no exception. To everyone’s delight the Christian prisoners of the “church” in the prison sang and danced, and then the choir with us did the same thing. Ron spoke twice, using drama and visuals challenging the inmates towards self-reliance and to put their faith in God. Between 50 and 60 persons (including a woman from the church choir) responded to the altar call. We were able to mingle and pray for them, then personally greet and encourage many of them. We have already received good reports from our host pastor.
Burundi is much like Rwanda, to the north, mountainous, green, and rainy with fertile soil. Yet both nations are economically impoverished, Burundi more than Rwanda. Thousands of people live at the poverty level, in many cases because of recent wars and genocides. It is heart-rending to see the child beggars on the streets, many of them war orphans. Yet, the opportunity for powerful ministry is overwhelming. May God bless them abundantly as they seek to live according to His Word.
Departure Adventure
We experienced some trauma the last hours there because the driver would not take us to the airport until we paid him more money. He drove us to the bank; not the airport. We arrived at the airport 20 minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off and the Lord, and the Kenya Airlines staff, graciously helped us quickly through the boarding process. Thank you for praying for us. We feel the effects of your prayers when close calls like this occur. May the Lord richly bless you.
We are scheduled to leave March 4th for Lagos where we will be working for 7 weeks and returning to Pretoria on April 24th. Thanks again for praying for the Meyers on Mondays. We are praying for you, too, that God will bless you big time!
Ron and Char
Monday, January 26, 2009
I have never noticed these verses before . . . .
I have begun reading the Bible through again lately.
In the past I have usually concentrated on a verse or passage at a time, conducting an in depth study of each section. More recently, I have been teaching pastors and leaders in our conferences that it is important to read the Bible everyday. That way, I tell them, the Word becomes the teacher instead of us just grabbing what looks good and pressing it into our preconceived mold. In order to identify with these leaders more closely, I have recently decided to go back to the daily reading pattern.
One day, meanwhile, in a conference in Botswana, as I was teaching about the importance of knowing the Bible as a Christian leader, it occurred to me that being a pastor was a lot like being an insurance salesperson. It is generally assumed, I said, that as new employees are hired, they are handed a company manual which they are required to read thoroughly so they are familiar with all the obligations and benefits of the company's policies. Then I ask, if the salesperson were to flip through the manual, groaning and moaning, "this is too hard" and "how am I supposed to remember all this?" and "oh, I just don't agree with this," then marches out to sell insurance according to their own made-up-policies, which would be called BOGUS INSURANCE, does that salesperson keep his job? Always the answer comes back a resounding, "No!" So what about the pastor/leader in the church who preaches and teaches BOGUS BIBLE? I'm talking about those who don't even know what it says, let alone understand what it means, yet they regularly get up and pontificate their opinion to a congregation. Then, I ask, "Does he or she lose his or her job?" "Well, uh, no," the pastors usually reply. The fact is that pastors and leaders keep right on teaching a BOGUS GOSPEL.
As I read through the Bible I realize over and over again how true this is about a lot of what I have been teaching and preaching. How can we "rightly divide the word of truth"? What must I do so I am speaking the "oracles of God" and not just my opinion when I stand to minister?
In our sessions we teach leaders to observe, or, read, read, and then re-read again. Then to look at the context and what it is tied to. Don't you hate it when someone takes something out of context that you have said and quotes it to say something you did not intend? I wonder how God feels when we take the Scripture out of its context, giving another meaning to the Scripture. To observe means to look carefully at the nouns, verbs, connecting words, repeated words, illustrations, progression of the text, the atmosphere or emotion of the text, and so on.
I found a couple verses recently that I knew I had read before, but I did not really know what they meant. So I took out my tools of observation and added the English-Greek interlinear New Testament and looked more closely.
Hebrews 4:12, 13
For the word of God is alive and active. sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
I have Italicized two words in this text because they are the same word in Greek, logos or word, yet they are translated as two different words, first as word, then as account. This vocabulary word can mean the Bible, the spoken word, speech, or to reckon, or give an accounting of, etc. Because the one word is used twice in the same text, I was wondering if they wouldn't have the same meaning. All my life I have heard the first logos interpreted, and have interpreted it to mean, the Bible, or the Word. But here it makes more sense to use the meaning to reckon in both instances, since the second one is already interpreted that way. "It is the reckoning or calling to account that is alive and active . . . that judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." This becomes clearer when we understand this, that the reckoning or demand for accountability is the meaning of word in verse twelve and account in verse thirteen. As I observed and also used a Bible study tool, I was able to find a deeper meaning. I also ask for the help God is always ready to give, which leads me to better understand the meaning of the text as I study it.
So if we were to rewrite these verses, they could possibly say:
Hebrews 4:12, 13
For the reckoning or judgment of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Now, if we know how to use the interlinear Bible (so simple to access where there's an Internet connection available) and can look up the meaning of the words in the text, it becomes very easy to see what the text is saying. But what if neither the Internet nor study tools were available to use, what does the man or woman do to find the meaning of the text?
Recently, I was looking at a couple obscure verses in Luke and I just observed them with no help from Bible study tools:
Luke 17:24, 25 says,
"For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."
It is even more clear in 12:49-50:
"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!"
These are my observations.
I would be curious to know if you see more in this text than I have.
+ When Jesus comes again, He will seem to be a huge lightening bolt. [in 17]
+ The purpose of His coming [in 12] is to bring fire.
+ Lightening and fire indicate judgment: destroying what is bad and purifying what is good.
+ In 12 Jesus wishes He could already kindle a fire to judge those who are in opposition to Him.
+ The Pharisees must have really been a handful! But I also recall his refusal to call down fire on the Samaritans when the disciples felt insulted by them.
+ The second half of both these texts starts with the word but. This means there is something that must happen here an now before the judgment can be made in the future. 'That is going to happen BUT this needs to happen first.'
+ The purpose of Jesus' suffering or baptism is to bring about the salvation of mankind before the judgment is established and administered.
+ Jesus has His priorities straight. Before judgment takes place, He knows that He must suffer or undergo a baptism. This is in order for there to be a mercy on behalf of those who deserve judgment.
+ He is under tremendous pressure to pay the sacrificial price that appeases God. This is so that His kindness can bring us to repentance [Romans 2:4].
+ He does not yield to the temptation to cremate those enemies of God . . . yet.
I never saw this before. Jesus was angered and disgusted with the religious leaders of His day, enough that He was wishing He could currently administer judgment to those with hardened hearts. Yet Peter [1 Peter 2:22-24] quotes Isaiah when he tells what was going on with Jesus, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." Then Peter explains what Jesus did instead, "When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, He made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness . . . ."
I knew what Jesus' death had accomplished, a fundamental of Christianity, but I did not realize the constraint under which Jesus lived day and night: to not yet judge those who just would not believe, but rather to yield, with such discipline, with such understanding of purpose, to become a sacrifice, suffering a horrible death, so that that greater purpose may be reached. No wonder He prayed day and night.
I have known the teachings of the Bible all my life. Raised in a pastor/teacher's home, a Bible student and teacher for many years, yet, all of this, and more, I have found since I began reading the Bible everyday for the past several months. I look forward to finding much more as I continue to dig for the treasures that have been there all along, just for the reading.
In the past I have usually concentrated on a verse or passage at a time, conducting an in depth study of each section. More recently, I have been teaching pastors and leaders in our conferences that it is important to read the Bible everyday. That way, I tell them, the Word becomes the teacher instead of us just grabbing what looks good and pressing it into our preconceived mold. In order to identify with these leaders more closely, I have recently decided to go back to the daily reading pattern.
One day, meanwhile, in a conference in Botswana, as I was teaching about the importance of knowing the Bible as a Christian leader, it occurred to me that being a pastor was a lot like being an insurance salesperson. It is generally assumed, I said, that as new employees are hired, they are handed a company manual which they are required to read thoroughly so they are familiar with all the obligations and benefits of the company's policies. Then I ask, if the salesperson were to flip through the manual, groaning and moaning, "this is too hard" and "how am I supposed to remember all this?" and "oh, I just don't agree with this," then marches out to sell insurance according to their own made-up-policies, which would be called BOGUS INSURANCE, does that salesperson keep his job? Always the answer comes back a resounding, "No!" So what about the pastor/leader in the church who preaches and teaches BOGUS BIBLE? I'm talking about those who don't even know what it says, let alone understand what it means, yet they regularly get up and pontificate their opinion to a congregation. Then, I ask, "Does he or she lose his or her job?" "Well, uh, no," the pastors usually reply. The fact is that pastors and leaders keep right on teaching a BOGUS GOSPEL.
As I read through the Bible I realize over and over again how true this is about a lot of what I have been teaching and preaching. How can we "rightly divide the word of truth"? What must I do so I am speaking the "oracles of God" and not just my opinion when I stand to minister?
In our sessions we teach leaders to observe, or, read, read, and then re-read again. Then to look at the context and what it is tied to. Don't you hate it when someone takes something out of context that you have said and quotes it to say something you did not intend? I wonder how God feels when we take the Scripture out of its context, giving another meaning to the Scripture. To observe means to look carefully at the nouns, verbs, connecting words, repeated words, illustrations, progression of the text, the atmosphere or emotion of the text, and so on.
I found a couple verses recently that I knew I had read before, but I did not really know what they meant. So I took out my tools of observation and added the English-Greek interlinear New Testament and looked more closely.
Hebrews 4:12, 13
For the word of God is alive and active. sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
I have Italicized two words in this text because they are the same word in Greek, logos or word, yet they are translated as two different words, first as word, then as account. This vocabulary word can mean the Bible, the spoken word, speech, or to reckon, or give an accounting of, etc. Because the one word is used twice in the same text, I was wondering if they wouldn't have the same meaning. All my life I have heard the first logos interpreted, and have interpreted it to mean, the Bible, or the Word. But here it makes more sense to use the meaning to reckon in both instances, since the second one is already interpreted that way. "It is the reckoning or calling to account that is alive and active . . . that judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." This becomes clearer when we understand this, that the reckoning or demand for accountability is the meaning of word in verse twelve and account in verse thirteen. As I observed and also used a Bible study tool, I was able to find a deeper meaning. I also ask for the help God is always ready to give, which leads me to better understand the meaning of the text as I study it.
So if we were to rewrite these verses, they could possibly say:
Hebrews 4:12, 13
For the reckoning or judgment of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Now, if we know how to use the interlinear Bible (so simple to access where there's an Internet connection available) and can look up the meaning of the words in the text, it becomes very easy to see what the text is saying. But what if neither the Internet nor study tools were available to use, what does the man or woman do to find the meaning of the text?
Recently, I was looking at a couple obscure verses in Luke and I just observed them with no help from Bible study tools:
Luke 17:24, 25 says,
"For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."
It is even more clear in 12:49-50:
"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!"
These are my observations.
I would be curious to know if you see more in this text than I have.
+ When Jesus comes again, He will seem to be a huge lightening bolt. [in 17]
+ The purpose of His coming [in 12] is to bring fire.
+ Lightening and fire indicate judgment: destroying what is bad and purifying what is good.
+ In 12 Jesus wishes He could already kindle a fire to judge those who are in opposition to Him.
+ The Pharisees must have really been a handful! But I also recall his refusal to call down fire on the Samaritans when the disciples felt insulted by them.
+ The second half of both these texts starts with the word but. This means there is something that must happen here an now before the judgment can be made in the future. 'That is going to happen BUT this needs to happen first.'
+ The purpose of Jesus' suffering or baptism is to bring about the salvation of mankind before the judgment is established and administered.
+ Jesus has His priorities straight. Before judgment takes place, He knows that He must suffer or undergo a baptism. This is in order for there to be a mercy on behalf of those who deserve judgment.
+ He is under tremendous pressure to pay the sacrificial price that appeases God. This is so that His kindness can bring us to repentance [Romans 2:4].
+ He does not yield to the temptation to cremate those enemies of God . . . yet.
I never saw this before. Jesus was angered and disgusted with the religious leaders of His day, enough that He was wishing He could currently administer judgment to those with hardened hearts. Yet Peter [1 Peter 2:22-24] quotes Isaiah when he tells what was going on with Jesus, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." Then Peter explains what Jesus did instead, "When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, He made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness . . . ."
I knew what Jesus' death had accomplished, a fundamental of Christianity, but I did not realize the constraint under which Jesus lived day and night: to not yet judge those who just would not believe, but rather to yield, with such discipline, with such understanding of purpose, to become a sacrifice, suffering a horrible death, so that that greater purpose may be reached. No wonder He prayed day and night.
I have known the teachings of the Bible all my life. Raised in a pastor/teacher's home, a Bible student and teacher for many years, yet, all of this, and more, I have found since I began reading the Bible everyday for the past several months. I look forward to finding much more as I continue to dig for the treasures that have been there all along, just for the reading.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
it helps to turn it on . . .
It's our first morning back and I am fixing breakfast.
I start with soft boiling the eggs: the eggs go in a bowl of warm water and the pan, also full of warm water, goes on the stove-top burner. I turn the front burner dial to high. Then, I pop a couple potatoes in the micro, since Ron has asked for potatoes with our eggs today. I pour the oj, set the table with our own dishes -- ah the feeling -- throw bread in the toaster, and set out the various jams and honey we enjoy. Potatoes are done, so I grate them into a covered dish. That way they are still hot to eat with the eggs over top. Yum. Turn to check on the egg water. It's not boiling; it's not even any warmer. Duh. I forgot to turn on the stove switch.
In Africa, electricity is a big thing because there is so little of it. Many places we travel to do not even have access to electricity. But where it is available, there is usually one bulb burning at the end of the electric cord that hangs from the middle of the ceiling. And usually that one bulb is about 40 watts . . . or less. Because there are so many other demands here and now on the governments of these nations (i.e. corruption) just maintenance -- forget improvements -- gets low priority. The power plants that should have been upgraded 20 years ago are now overloaded and often just shut down.
There are many suggestions made for saving electricity: blanket-wrapping your geyser (pronounced gee-zer) or hot water heater, boiling only the amount of water needed in the electric kettle, etc., and of course turning off the lights. The electric company has the authority to enlist any and all in what they call power-sharing, meaning that some days the electricity in the whole neighborhood is turned off for awhile.
Just recently, a pay-as-you-use system has been set up here in Pretoria. You stop at convenient kiosks around town, pay for the amount you want to buy, and it is put on your electricity card. You take it home, punch the numbers into the meter, and you have access to more electricity.
When we first arrived in Africa, we were fascinated to find that all of the electrical outlets here have an on/off switch. When the outlet is not in use, you can just flick the switch and cut off the electricity. Wanting to be savers, and preventing electric leakage, especially when we are gone for weeks at a time, we run around our flat (the European term for apartment) turning off all the switches just before we leave.
It never fails that when we first get "home" we must remind ourselves where the light switches are, or where things go as we put them away. And at times we even forget that we must turn the electric outlet switches back on again if we want to effectively get some breakfast on the table.
I start with soft boiling the eggs: the eggs go in a bowl of warm water and the pan, also full of warm water, goes on the stove-top burner. I turn the front burner dial to high. Then, I pop a couple potatoes in the micro, since Ron has asked for potatoes with our eggs today. I pour the oj, set the table with our own dishes -- ah the feeling -- throw bread in the toaster, and set out the various jams and honey we enjoy. Potatoes are done, so I grate them into a covered dish. That way they are still hot to eat with the eggs over top. Yum. Turn to check on the egg water. It's not boiling; it's not even any warmer. Duh. I forgot to turn on the stove switch.
In Africa, electricity is a big thing because there is so little of it. Many places we travel to do not even have access to electricity. But where it is available, there is usually one bulb burning at the end of the electric cord that hangs from the middle of the ceiling. And usually that one bulb is about 40 watts . . . or less. Because there are so many other demands here and now on the governments of these nations (i.e. corruption) just maintenance -- forget improvements -- gets low priority. The power plants that should have been upgraded 20 years ago are now overloaded and often just shut down.
There are many suggestions made for saving electricity: blanket-wrapping your geyser (pronounced gee-zer) or hot water heater, boiling only the amount of water needed in the electric kettle, etc., and of course turning off the lights. The electric company has the authority to enlist any and all in what they call power-sharing, meaning that some days the electricity in the whole neighborhood is turned off for awhile.
Just recently, a pay-as-you-use system has been set up here in Pretoria. You stop at convenient kiosks around town, pay for the amount you want to buy, and it is put on your electricity card. You take it home, punch the numbers into the meter, and you have access to more electricity.
When we first arrived in Africa, we were fascinated to find that all of the electrical outlets here have an on/off switch. When the outlet is not in use, you can just flick the switch and cut off the electricity. Wanting to be savers, and preventing electric leakage, especially when we are gone for weeks at a time, we run around our flat (the European term for apartment) turning off all the switches just before we leave.
It never fails that when we first get "home" we must remind ourselves where the light switches are, or where things go as we put them away. And at times we even forget that we must turn the electric outlet switches back on again if we want to effectively get some breakfast on the table.
Friday, January 23, 2009
a lover's checklist . . .
Oh, I know. When we say 'lover" we are suddenly in Hollywood, or at least at the theater watching its version. But I am thinking about another definition, one I want to use as a checklist for my life today.
That 'other' definition is listed by Paul in his instructions to Tim (2 T 3:1-7). He's talking, a lot, about a LOVE, but of all the wrong things.
-LOVERS of themselves
-LOVERS of money
-boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy
-without LOVE, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal
-not LOVERS of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited,
-LOVERS of pleasure (reminds me of the thorns in the Parable of the Sower)
-rather than LOVERS of God
Then he sums it up:
lack of love = having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Whoa.
I love how Paul always discusses the pros and cons, giving me lists to check.
The pros are listed earlier on how LOVE is to be lived.
-flee the evil desires of youth (just the evil ones and not the good ones)
-pursue righteousness, faith, LOVE and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
-Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
-And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Why do we LOVE?
-Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
-and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do His will.
-But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2T 2:22-3:1)
Seems to me that in all this, Paul is saying to LOVE -- love God, love your fellow man.
Sounds like a good check list to work on today.
That 'other' definition is listed by Paul in his instructions to Tim (2 T 3:1-7). He's talking, a lot, about a LOVE, but of all the wrong things.
-LOVERS of themselves
-LOVERS of money
-boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy
-without LOVE, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal
-not LOVERS of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited,
-LOVERS of pleasure (reminds me of the thorns in the Parable of the Sower)
-rather than LOVERS of God
Then he sums it up:
lack of love = having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Whoa.
I love how Paul always discusses the pros and cons, giving me lists to check.
The pros are listed earlier on how LOVE is to be lived.
-flee the evil desires of youth (just the evil ones and not the good ones)
-pursue righteousness, faith, LOVE and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
-Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
-And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Why do we LOVE?
-Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
-and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do His will.
-But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2T 2:22-3:1)
Seems to me that in all this, Paul is saying to LOVE -- love God, love your fellow man.
Sounds like a good check list to work on today.
Monday, December 8, 2008
No Extra Charge for Jet Lag -- in Dollars
According to Jay Leno:The economy’s so bad, airlines are now charging $15 for every bag under your eyes.
I guess we are going to have more bags this weekend as we head for the States! The very reason we moved over here is to make the travel easier on our bodies. I am amazed at how so many countries are in the same or similar time zone. The first time I noticed it was when we traveled from Sweden, to Bethlehem in Palestine, and then to Addis Abba, Ethiopia. We were on a summer jaunt several years ago, our first time to go to Israel. I was delighted that we were not jet lagging since all of our flites, only 5 hours each, were from north to south and back north again. This way, we are only weary from the travel, and not dogged with the bone wearying addition of time change.
On this past trip, for example, we flew from Joberg to Nairobi in Kenya, which is an hour ahead of us, waited several hours for our lay over, then flew into Kigali, Rwanda, where the time is the same as ours in South Africa. Cool! Because it was an all night flite (from 00:45 to 05:15) we were already tired, but jet lag was not even an issue.
Going from Africa to North America, however, is another story. Flying from East to West is quite the challenge. I have even heard it said that flying from West to East, or East to West (which is it?) one of those ways is supposed to be harder on you. I think, after traveling for many years in many different directions, it is ALL hard on the body. I just read in a book about jet lagging that for every hour difference in the locations of departure and arrival, it takes a day to recuperate. Of course there are ways to combat jet lag so it is not so bad, but the body needs time to adjust to such big changes.
I am the last to complain about travel by plane. It is not easy. You must be on your toes all the time. Even tho' you have done it time and time again, you still have to check all the boxes and make sure you are on the right plane! And I hate it when I leave something behind. But, I am so glad that we are not traveling for weeks by ship, then by ox cart or horse back into the 'interior', as so many of our forerunners have done for the sake of the Gospel. This way we can go be with our families much more often, then quickly return to our work without much delay. We live in marvelous times. As we fly on these African planes, I often think of what our son said to us after he became a pilot: If anything happens to me, just know I was having the time of my life while I was flying and I died happy. We share his sentiments about our work that includes flying to get there and back.
Paying the jet lag price is an occupational obligation.
Bring it on if it means seeing the wonderful faces of our families.
I guess we are going to have more bags this weekend as we head for the States! The very reason we moved over here is to make the travel easier on our bodies. I am amazed at how so many countries are in the same or similar time zone. The first time I noticed it was when we traveled from Sweden, to Bethlehem in Palestine, and then to Addis Abba, Ethiopia. We were on a summer jaunt several years ago, our first time to go to Israel. I was delighted that we were not jet lagging since all of our flites, only 5 hours each, were from north to south and back north again. This way, we are only weary from the travel, and not dogged with the bone wearying addition of time change.
On this past trip, for example, we flew from Joberg to Nairobi in Kenya, which is an hour ahead of us, waited several hours for our lay over, then flew into Kigali, Rwanda, where the time is the same as ours in South Africa. Cool! Because it was an all night flite (from 00:45 to 05:15) we were already tired, but jet lag was not even an issue.
Going from Africa to North America, however, is another story. Flying from East to West is quite the challenge. I have even heard it said that flying from West to East, or East to West (which is it?) one of those ways is supposed to be harder on you. I think, after traveling for many years in many different directions, it is ALL hard on the body. I just read in a book about jet lagging that for every hour difference in the locations of departure and arrival, it takes a day to recuperate. Of course there are ways to combat jet lag so it is not so bad, but the body needs time to adjust to such big changes.
I am the last to complain about travel by plane. It is not easy. You must be on your toes all the time. Even tho' you have done it time and time again, you still have to check all the boxes and make sure you are on the right plane! And I hate it when I leave something behind. But, I am so glad that we are not traveling for weeks by ship, then by ox cart or horse back into the 'interior', as so many of our forerunners have done for the sake of the Gospel. This way we can go be with our families much more often, then quickly return to our work without much delay. We live in marvelous times. As we fly on these African planes, I often think of what our son said to us after he became a pilot: If anything happens to me, just know I was having the time of my life while I was flying and I died happy. We share his sentiments about our work that includes flying to get there and back.
Paying the jet lag price is an occupational obligation.
Bring it on if it means seeing the wonderful faces of our families.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Welcome, Friends
I have just sent out an email, adding many names -- wow -- we have lots of Friends! -- informing many of our Friends of this new blog. God has blessed us so much with relationships all over the world. In fact, more recently, when we pray for our Friends, we now list them as "Asian Friends, African Friends, American Friends, and other Friends all over the world." What would we do without our friends!
These days we are making many more Friends, loving and being loved by people so very different than we are. Yet, our only differences are our color and our cultures. Living here in Africa where most are varying shades of brown or black, I have been particularly careful to NOT be politically incorrect. However, last year when we were traveling with Friends from Uganda, one of them caught me by surprise when he told me he wanted to put me up on the top of the near-by mountain so that all in the valley would have lots of light since I was so bright white!
Learning a few words of greeting and the handshakes of each country has been quite the challenge. For example, we have learned that in Rwanda you first gently clutch one another's upper arms (I thought we were going to be hugged!) then pull back to shake hands. And sometimes, that handshake is first grabbing the hand as we do in the West, then, while continuing to lock thumbs, grab the back of the hand, then back to the standard handshake -- well, standard to us. These simple gestures has opened our hearts, and theirs, earning us many Friends.
These days we are making many more Friends, loving and being loved by people so very different than we are. Yet, our only differences are our color and our cultures. Living here in Africa where most are varying shades of brown or black, I have been particularly careful to NOT be politically incorrect. However, last year when we were traveling with Friends from Uganda, one of them caught me by surprise when he told me he wanted to put me up on the top of the near-by mountain so that all in the valley would have lots of light since I was so bright white!
Learning a few words of greeting and the handshakes of each country has been quite the challenge. For example, we have learned that in Rwanda you first gently clutch one another's upper arms (I thought we were going to be hugged!) then pull back to shake hands. And sometimes, that handshake is first grabbing the hand as we do in the West, then, while continuing to lock thumbs, grab the back of the hand, then back to the standard handshake -- well, standard to us. These simple gestures has opened our hearts, and theirs, earning us many Friends.
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