Podcasts (3 of 5)

Derek the Bandit's Sound Republic

Derek the Bandit's Sound Republic podcasts are of a heart warming nature. Derek, a retired DJ from the well known South African radio station, 5fm, provides his listeners with some killer tunes to tap your foot to. Every second week, Derek releases a podcast ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes of some of the top class house, trance and dance tunes. The nice thing about the podcast is the occasional chill zone. These podcasts are usually around an hour long and are really just what the name suggests, a chilled out session. It’s a great podcast, displaying some of the worlds greatest and upcoming DJ’s. It’s a great podcast to throw on the ipod and hit the play button!!!

Have you ever listened to an episode of Derek the Bandits Sound Republic Podcast? What were your thoughts? What podcasts do you subscribe to?

Podcasts (2 of 5)

The Catalyst Podcast

This is one for the leadership junkies. These guys focus on many of the questions leaders need to ask but are to afraid to. They interview all the big guys in the church world to try and assist the smaller leaders across the globe. Some of these leaders are Craig Groeschel, Mike Foster, Louie Giglio, John Maxwell.

This podcast is simply just great conversations about relevant topics facing leaders today. If you’re wanting to learn something new or perhaps just be challenged in your thinking, check this podcast out.

Have you ever listened to an episode of the Catalyst Podcast? What were your thoughts? What podcasts do you subscribe to?

Podcasts (1 of 5)

For a while now I’ve found myself emerged within the world of podcasts. Even would have ever known that there were so many available? Podcasts galore!!! This week I thought I’d take 5 of my favourite podcasts and share a bit about them with you. All of the podcasts I’ll talk about are available on itunes.

First we need to define what a podcast is for those who have no idea what I’m talking about! Wikipedia defines the podcast as follows: “A podcast is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers.” In simpler terms, a podcast is a radio show which one is able to listen to at any time, any place. That is the beauty of podcasts… Hope that makes sense!!!

Dirty Little Secrets

The first podcast I thought I’d share with you is called Dirty Little Secrets, hosted by the team of XXX Church. It’s been around for a while now. They have just recently released their 90^th show. This podcast has proven to be on of great quality!

After finding the podcast, I downloaded them all and slowly worked my way through them. Not only is the podcast educational, it’s humorous and at times it even brings a lump to ones throat. It is through this podcast XXX Church keep the supporters of their ministry up to date. I have heard many stories about how terrible we as the church are in terms of treating those within the porn industry to how those who support the ministry have all clubbed together to pay for a ex pornographer to get through seminary.

This podcast is full of humor yet at the same time it remains a great eye opener to what is happening all around us…

Have you ever listened to an episode of Dirty Little Secrets? What were your thoughts? What podcasts do you subscribe to?

House Arrest (4 of 4)

What I’ve learned

Going through something traumatic may not be great in ones eyes at that moment. It may just seem like the world is collapsing around you and all hell is breaking loose… Well, it seemed like that for me on the day of my accident. I can still recall the sounds of the helicopter’s propellers, the sounds of the police radios, the ambulance sirens… It was a rough day, I can’t deny that. I’ll even admit that for a small amount of time God was not the most popular person on my list. We went from buddies to me thinking that He was (because this is not a 18 and over blog, I have decided to remove the bad words from this sentence).

Well, all was not lost. A friend told me that I really inspired her with my faith as she drove away from the accident site. On her way to take me home, I turned to her with tears in my eyes and said, “I’m not sure what He’s up to, but I know God will pull me through this and He does have a plan.” As I slowly move on in time an think back, I’m beginning to recall conversations like that. It still blows my mind that I was that faithful to God (despite my short lived temper out burst mentioned earlier). So, that just goes to show that I’m still learning and probably will for many years to come.

What I have learned however which I feel so many take for granted is the freedom which is granted in Christ. So many times I hear people say that they are free in Christ and I now can’t help but wonder if they really are aware what it truly means to be free in Christ. It hurt, a lot, when I sat in the common room at my college and watched the students of the college laughing and giggling, unaware of just what freedom is. Unaware of the gift that has so freely been given to them. Unaware of what it truly means to be free.

I can remember going home and lying in my bed at night wondering what was going to happen to me. I lost weight, I couldn’t sleep, my marks at college dropped… I was a wreck, until it hit me. Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi suddenly took on a whole new perspective. I was free in Christ… I was able to find the true meaning of freedom and it was GREAT. I was eventually free and I was lead towards a greater understanding of joy. I now feel I can relate to the Apostle Paul as he sat in a prison cell, with minimal food and water, possibly not even sure if he’d make it to the next day or not and a worry in his mind. I always thought this guy (Paul) was a psycho… But now… now I know from where the letter was written. The letter is amazingly beautiful!!! I have never before read such a heart felt letter!!!

Even as I write this blog, I’m having difficulty keeping it short. I just want to go on and on and on about the freedom in the true and living God I NOW KNOW. The true joy found in suffering for Christ… There is just so much and I honestly could probably do a whole week on what I’ve learned from this experience… If you asked me to sum up my feelings, I'd ask you to watch an eagle fly… the image says all I’d say.

I hope this past week has in some way helped answer some of the questions you may have had revolving my whole ordeal. In the very same breathe, I hope that in some way I’ve been able to help you think about your rough patches in life and to make you realize, they more beautiful then you think…

Have you really experienced the freedom Paul talks about? Do you know of this joy he talks about?

House Arrest (3 of 4)

How I stay sane well spending so much time at home

Let me start off by stating that it is not easy. I do have my days where I feel like I’m sitting in a cage while the world carries on spinning around me. It has been a humbling experience for me to experience what it means to be placed under house as it shows one that whether or not you’re apart of the world, it’s going to carry on spinning.

Firstly I consider myself fortunate to be doing my time in an actual house. During my various meetings at the Correctional Department in Cape Town, I have meet many who are in a far worse state then I. I have meet some who are having to do their time in a shack within a informal settlement. This is heart breaking and again reminds me that despite my situation, I am better of then many others.

Being a student, I am always busy, be it with readings, assignments, presentations etc. It is possibly the one thing that grabs my time and really consumes it. During the college terms, I barely feel my house arrest as I barely have time to even think about. However, the terms at college do come to an end and I am then faced with the reality of what being under house arrest means. It is challenging as I find things to keep my mind busy.

I am fortunate enough to have a internet connection at home, so I use a large amount of my time reading and blogging online. Apart from that, I do play the occasional online game... I must also admit, (not that I'm sorry for it) that my personal library has grown quite substantially as I now have quite a large amount of time to spend reading. But as my lecturers keep saying, "That's a goooooood thing!!!"

I have also used the time in a practical manner to attack things that need to be done around the house. The past 4 months I have spent time painting, with my ipod in my pocket keeping me going. It's amazing how much information is available out there in terms of podcasts...

There are many other small things which keep me going, but these are the general things I do to get me from day to day…

Tomorrow I will share what it is that I have learned from being under house arrest. I will share how I have taken what seems to be a horrific and unfair event for many, and changed it into what I believe to be a blessing from God.

If you were under house arrest, how would you keep yourself busy?

House Arrest (2 of 4)

So what does being under house arrest mean?

Well, being under house arrest is really not as bad as many seem to think it is. Although, I must admit I am better off then many others who are under house arrest. Basically what being under house arrest means is that I’m in jail but not really in jail. Thank God for that!!! In my case, my jail cell is my house.

With the jail concept in mind, you’ll now begin to understand the various rights that have been taken away from me. So, I’m therefore not allowed off my property unless I have been granted permission by my parole officer. At times this can be a pain, but at others, it sometimes is beneficial for me. Obviously because I’m under house arrest my entire life has not been taken away from me. Therefore, I am still expected to make money in order to survive as well as obtain an education for myself.

With this in mind, I am therefore ONLY allowed to be on one of the following properties: My college campus, my employers property, my house and then once a week I am entitled to attend a church service. On Saturdays, I am then required to do a min of 5 hours community service at my local police station. These generally means basic clean up of the station. After my community service, I am granted 5 hours free time (which I get on a weekly basis) to do with as I please. Oh and before I forget, I don’t wear a ankle bracelet like the Americans do (Thank God!!!). I just get surprise checks at my residence by various correctional officers… You get used to them after a while, even if it’s at 3am…

I hope this in some way helps to explain what it means for one to be under house arrest… Tomorrow I will share how it is that I’ve trained myself to remain calm and focused. I’ll share what it is that I do to keep my mind in shape and how I actually enjoy my time at home…

Have you got any questions relating house arrest? Have you experienced anything similar or know of someone who has?

House Arrest (1 of 4)

This week I thought I would answer some of the many questions I get in relation to my house arrest… Hopefully by the end of the week I would have answered some of the questions you may be wanting to ask me…

How I landed up being under house arrest

On the 19^th of February 2006, I was involved in a car accident which resulted sadly (a couple of weeks later), in a death. Because I was the only driver still alive, I was charged and summonsed to appear in the local magistrates court. It was quite a nerve wrecking experience and I would suggest to all, if at all possible, stay away. The court room seems to be an area which just sucks all the living energy out of you in a matter of minutes. If you for any reason need to spend time in the court room, surround yourself with loved ones. They are and will be your backbone…

After a year and half (more or less) of trying to defend myself and keep out of our national prison, the case was finally brought to a close. It was an emotional time for me as I stood before the magistrate and waited to hear her sentencing. It is absolutely terrifying knowing that the person in front of you has all the power in the world to end your life there and then. I can still remember the feeling of the sweat running down the back of my neck as I prayed “Lord, PLEASE! If there was ever a time I believed in you, it is now!!!”

Finally, after reading literally everything that was said throughout the case hearings (over the year and a half), she finally got to the words, “I therefore sentence you to…” Those five words determined the practical outcome of my life, whether I liked it or not. She ended off with, “24 months house arrest and no more than 18 hours community service each month for the duration of your sentence.”

The beauty of the experience was how I learned what it means to truly know the peace of Christ. So often, like many others, I would blabber on and on about the peace of Christ and how I knew it and so on… The truth was, I had no idea what it really was until I really needed to know it. My first experience within the court room was one of absolute terror. It is only by the grace of God I didn’t pass out. Those around me referred to me as a ghost. Kinda scary if you think about it… The morning before my second appearance, I decided to pray, even if it was just a 30 second prayer. I was going to ask God for help, and I was going to believe that he would and could help me. From that morning on, I was nervous in the court room, but no where near as nervous as my first appearance. The sense of peace I felt within my heart was unbelievable and pretty much impossible to describe in words. I learned, through receiving a life changing sentence, that God’s love is real. More real than you could possibly ever imagine.

Tomorrow I will explain what it means to be under house arrest whilst fulfilling a commitment of 432 hours of community service.

Have you ever experienced a similar event where the peace of God seemed so real?

Songs I like... (5 of 5)

Keep Holding On Lyrics - Avril Lavigne

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say

Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep holding on
Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

My Thoughts...

I think this one is pretty obvious… It stuck with me and became my song of encouragement. It was as if God Himself had lifted me in the palm of His hand and was softly telling me to keep holding on… It made me realize the very basics all over again. I had to refocus and set myself back on track… It made me look further into the very thing I take for granted… Grace…

Were you challenged in any way by this song?

Songs I like... (4 of 5)

The River - Good Charlotte

As I walk through the valley
of the shadow of LA
The footsteps that were next to me
have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now
to know that beautiful things
don't always stay that way
I've done enough now
to know this beautiful place
isn't everything they say

I heard that evil comes disguised
Like a city of angels
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered

You're from a small town
you're gonna grow up fast
underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
the dead come back to life
To the praying Mother
The worried Father

Let your children go
If they come back they'll come home stronger
and if they don't you'll know

They say that evil comes disguised
Like a city of angels
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered

Baptized in the river (on my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
(on my own)
(on my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered

I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered

My Thoughts...

The very first time I heard this song my heart sank… Why you may ask? Well, it was three words that brought a lump to my throat. The words “on my own” raised plenty concern within my heart. Where was the church? Where were his friends? Why was he on his own? Why do so many people, as Dan Kimball shares, like Jesus but not the church? What am I doing wrong? What are we doing wrong? People seem to be getting the picture, but yet they want nothing to do with us. Why?

This song made me take a closer look at my life and made me realize that perhaps I’m starving Jesus. I’m starving Him by staying in the pews... That’s why Joel has full right to say that he was alone… I need to get up off my ass and get back out there. I need to get back into the gutter…

Were you challenged in any way by this song?

Songs I like... (3 of 5)

Walk On - U2

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing....
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can’t steal it
No they can’t even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can’t sell it, can’t buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home… hard to know what it is if you’ve never had one
Home… I can’t say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the hurt is

I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you steal
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress up
All that you scheme…


My Thoughts

This is probably the one song that made me hold onto my faith. The past two years have been rather rough to the point where I began to even doubt that the God I worship existed. I began questioning as to why I was going through such a tough time in my life. To cut a long story short, Bono through this song encouraged me to just hang in there and keep going. He reminded me of what my faith is ultimately about. Love... Bono helped open my eyes and see that there is more to this life then suffering. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my time of being under house arrest, it’s that love, just like life is not as simple as we sometimes make out. Despite this I’ve realized that all I got to do is just keep my head up and walk on… why? Because ultimately, there's some one out there worse off then me...

Were you challenged in any way by this song?

Whackhead pulls out a real cracker!!!

I found a clip by Darren Whackhead Simpson (of 94.7 Highveld Stereo or 94.5 Kfm) very funny!!! It is the best of his humourous mockings of Mr Mugabe. You can find it here. Please note that it will only be available for download today (15 April 2008). If you're reading this after the 15th of April, ask me if I still have it and perhaps we can make a way for you to get a hold of it.

Let me know what your thoughts of it are!!!

Songs I like... (2 of 5)

Dirty Little Secret - The All-American Rejects

Let me know that I've done wrong
When I've known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you`ll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret
Who has to know

When we live such fragile lives
It's the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
find out games you don't wanna play
you are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret

Who has to know
The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping dogs won't lie (won't lie)
And now I try to lie
It's eating me apart
Trace this life out

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret)

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret

Dirty little secret
Dirty little secret

Who has to know?
Who has to know?


My Thoughts...

I love the way Craig Gross and Mike Foster put it… “Addressing the elephant in the pews.” This song made me think about my dirty little secrets that I had. The secrets I took with me to "church," to home cell/life group, college…. Where ever I went I carried these dirty little secrets around and as Tyson says, they were eating me up inside. I just couldn’t seem to get any further in my relationships with individuals until I let someone in on my "dirty little secrets."

Ultimately, this song has taught me quite a deal about accountability. Because of this song, I’ve realized just what a difference REAL accountability makes. If someone says to that they’ll be your accountability partner, keep them to it!!! Sadly, it seems that so many Christians are prepared to have the title “Accountability Partner” but few are prepared to get their hands dirty.

If you want to help people with their dirty little secrets, you’re going to get your hands dirty… No way about it...

Were you challenged in any way by this song?

Songs I like... (1 of 5)

This week I thought I would I share the 5 songs which in some way moved me and got me thinking about life and who I am. These 5 songs in one way or another represent something about me…


How to save a life – The Fray

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defence
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

How to save a life
How to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life

My thoughts....

I was deeply touched by these lyrics as they in so many ways touched me emotionally. I absolutely could/can relate to Isaac and what he was sharing. For so long I have wanted to be able to share my faith with others but find it so difficult because of the amount of stigma which surrounds the Christian faith. Sadly most Christians upset me regularly!!! So the questions I was faced with were: “How can I go about this difficult task, without forcing my faith down their throats? How can I make my faith seem real?”

The song opened up one word for me personally: RELATIONSHIPS.That’s what it’s all about… Relationships… After hearing this song and allowing it to challenge my thought process I decided to look into my relationships and I’m glad I did. Most of my relationships to date, I feel comfortable in saying are more real than what they were before… Because of this I feel I have now grown more as a person…

Where you challenged in any way by this song?

Who are you?

Today marked the beginning of my final New Testament module at college, which happens to be Johannine Writings. Granted I still have 7 weeks left, I think I’m in for a really enjoyable ride. All throughout my New Testament studies I’ve been challenged, tormented, tested, embarrassed, just to mention a few of my many emotions… Biblical studies really have a way of opening ones eyes to what is really there.

Today, once again, I was shown something which has always been there which I have just never realized. Those are always great, but I was shown just how far off course I am with regards to the Biblical example. Those are always challenging hey? Just a simple reminder of much work still needs to be done…

If you’ve never done a study on the “loved disciple” I would highly recommend it. The disciple is only referred to 5 times and all 5 appear within the gospel of John. If you’re wanting textual references, just shout and I’ll pass them on. What really challenged my thinking was how we noticed that Peter was always around when the loved disciple was mentioned (except for one reference). My lecturer, Dr. Wayne Herman suggests that this could possibly be the author’s way of teaching us what a real disciple is to do, in respect to our daily lives. He drew this conclusion from the reactions of both disciples, the loved disciple and Peter. What ever Peter’s actions, the loved disciple would respond differently and more positively. Thus, giving us an idea of what the ideal disciple of Christ would look like… I think more often than not, I’m an exact replica of Peter.

What are your thoughts? Who do you imitate more, Peter or the loved disciple?

GET SAVED!!!

One of the things I do when I meet people is I ask them, “What is Christianity?” Undoubtedly half will respond, “A relationship with Jesus.”

That is wrong. The gospel cannot be merely a private transaction. God didn’t break through history, through time and space, to come as a babe, be incarnated, and suffer on the cross just so you can come to Him and say, “Oh I accept Jesus and now I can live happily ever after.” That’s not why He came… Jesus came as a radical to turn the world upside down. When we believe it is just about Jesus and yourself, we miss the whole point.

I even dislike using the words “accept Christ” anymore – because it is so much more than that. Christianity is a way of seeing all of life and reality through God’s eyes. That is what Christianity is: a worldview, a system, and a way of life. I believe that when you truly see the gospel in its fullness, it’s so much more. It is the most exciting, radical, revolutionary story ever told.

Taken from “The gospel in its fullness” by Chuck Colson on pages 87 to 88 (unChristian written by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.)



What are your thoughts when you read the above passage? Do you think Christians have missed the point and really are all about “getting saved?” Have we missed the point?

Sweet Love...

Recently I’ve been referred to as the Life Group / Missions / Evangelistic guy and it’s really got me thinking. What is it about my “trademarks” that lead people to think that way? What is it about the words I say, the things I do that lead others to such a perspective? For some time I wondered around deep within my own heart, my own mind and my own soul. I needed to see what it was that others were seeing that I myself was not right on target with. Maybe it was the fact that I’m a few months away from graduation… or maybe it was that I had been involved in various ministries. I needed to know what it was.

What I found was interesting. Needless to say, I was blown away by what I came across. I came across a man who was different and was on a mission to share it. However, I found that this heart was on a mission to share this interesting concept with others in a way beyond anything I feel I would have ever considered. I was sharing the love I had found, the acceptance I had found, and I was doing it without even knowing it. I found that it had absolutely nothing to do with me… nothing. It was because one man decided to show me what real love is that I am able to attempt to show others what real love is. I may not always get it right, but I know I’m trying and it’s not coming from me, it’s coming from Him. It’s got nothing to do with me… All my past is just that, my past. I am at the start of a new journey… and I’m not alone.

This was fascinating to me… I finally realized what Rob Bell meant when he argued that the church should never need to teach how to evangelize. Why should we teach the followers of Christ how to share His love? If they have truly experienced His love, they’ll know how to share it. It will come naturally… kind of like when you got that toy you really wanted for your birthday. You had no problem telling everyone how it works and why it was so great. There was just something about it that grabbed your heart. If you need to learn how to evangelize, I question as to if you really know what this love is that we all talk about so often…

What is so beautiful for myself with regards to Christ’s love, is that it’s a mystery, yet so simple to grasp at the same time. I have absolutely no idea how it works, but it grabbed my heart and took control of my life. It is a life that requires more and more of me every day. The beautiful side to this story is the fact that many have shared that I barely talk about Christ, but they know He’s there. They know how I feel about Him. They know He has full control of my being.

So, what am I actually trying to say? Well, I think what I’m really trying to say is that you don’t need a degree in Theology to share the love of Christ. You don’t need a degree in Theology to experience the love of Christ. It’s just there… waiting to be tapped into, free of charge, yet at the same time at full cost. I don’t need to be anybody other than myself in order to truly share the love so freely given to us. It is the only way one can truly get the truth out.

Do you know of this love I’m referring to?

Sweet Love

I’ve been wondering round my soul again
Just to find what I’ve become
I thought that I’d find something beautiful
Or some trophies that I’ve won
Maybe a little better than before
But still rotten to the core

Without Your sweet, sweet love
Without Your sweet, sweet love

Lord I don’t know where I’d be today
Without amazing grace
Cause if You left me to my own devise
I’d fall rite on my face
But I’m no better than I was before
I’m still rotten to the core

(written and sung by Gary Rea)

Download this song free of charge at www.garyreaworship.com

Looking for the baby Jesus under the trash...

Whilst sifting through the junk on my pc, I came across this blog which I wrote a while ago (2006 to be exact). It seemed to be enjoyed by many and so for that reasoning I thought I'd share it with you (again)...



:) Enjoy...

Looking for the baby Jesus under the trash


It's the 10th of December today. We're still fifteen days away from Christmas. Why on earth are we having a Christmas lunch today? This was the question running through my head. It was through this lunch that the Kruger family showed me what love is, but one little individual, Nathan, not only showed me, but taught me as well. I owe quite a substantial amount to this little guy. Thanks Nathan, this article's for you.



Allow me to explain why it is that we had ended up having a rather early Christmas lunch. The Kruger family had family visiting from Pretoria who sadly (I admit) are unable to spend Christmas day with them. In fact they're leaving tomorrow (the 11th) to head back home. Hence the early Christmas lunch. However, the story doesn't end there. This lunch had more attached to it. Quite a substantial amount more. More than I honestly expected.



I've been thinking a bit about this whole "Christmas" thing for quite sometime now. I always seem to get annoyed with the season. What is it about Christmas that seems to annoy me? Why is it that I get hacked off with the world? Perhaps it's the same reason I get annoyed around Easter. Everything is so commercialized, we seem to have veered so far off course that we don't even seem to know where the course is anymore. Bono, a role model of mine, made quite a profound statement that really got me thinking along the line of what Christmas really meant or means to me.



The statement you ask? Quite simply, whilst in a conversation with a friend of his (I think), he was talking about Christmas and he ending up saying that he was searching for the baby Jesus underneath the trash. Quite a statement. That definitely explained the place where I was at. I had lost Jesus and I needed to find him. The problem was I just didn't know where or how to begin.



How do I find Jesus underneath all the trash?



However, I didn't realise I was very close to solving this dilemma of mine.



Megs, a friend of mine keeps asking me why it is that I'm against the Christmas spirit and I keep replying with the same answer, "I'm not against it." Then she asks me about decorations and again I reply with "I'm not against the decorations." Not at all. Christmas decorations are great. All I'm really against is the concept behind them. The decorations are great. They add to the mood, the atmosphere. Are those the right words to be using? Probably.



What does annoy me, is the fact that decorations seem to now be about money. Money. It doesn't stop there though. Christmas in its entirety seems to now be about money. Profit. Money is all Christmas seems to be about today. It's because of this that I've realized that it's not only myself with this dilemma, we all seem to have lost Jesus. What happened to him? Does anyone know where he is?



I do.



I know exactly where he is and so does Bono.



He's (Jesus) stuck underneath all the trash and it's a problem.



A problem which I'm not really sure we can fix on our own. He's stuck underneath all this commercialism. Most of us have seem-ably missed the true concept behind Christmas. We've buried Jesus under the trash of a now commercialized Christmas. We need to all work together to change this issue. However, I sadly don't really see that happening in the near future.
Christmas for myself, is about Jesus.



Love



I only realized that today. Today I was given the opportunity to experience what I feel Christmas is really about. I experienced parents putting a smile upon a little boys (aged 7) face. Their son clearly means the earth and more to them. It was absolutely incredible. For some time now, Nathan's friends were telling him that Santa wasn't real. In an effort to prove them wrong and show him love I was taught a valuable lesson. He won't understand the concept of love yet, but I do. These two incredible parents taught me so much about love today.



How'd they do that?



Well, what they did was quite simple. Small gifts were organized for Nathan and his younger brother, who's just about walking now. Meg's and I wrapped the gifts, well actually Meg's did, I just watched. I can't wrap presents at all. Is there a course I could possibly consider attending to address this issue? This was obviously all done without Nathan knowing a thing. Once the gifts had been wrapped, Robert, a friend of ours, had the privilege of dressing up as Santa. I say privilege as it was really him that placed the smile upon Nathan's face.



Once everything was ready, gifts wrapped, Robert in his red suit and white beard, we were ready to make Nathan's day. All together, we went outside, grabbed a chair and pretended to relax in the sun. Dam it was hot! This Cape Town weather is amazing. We were now ready for the operation to take its course. Whilst sitting and having innocent conversation amongst each other, Santa suddenly popped into the yard, dropped a bag and was off in a flash, all without saying a word, thus eliminating any suspicion of Robert not being the real Santa. The look upon Nathan's face was priceless. Nathan was up in a flash (after a short period of shock) and out the gate on a quest to find Santa. Thanks to Mr Kruger, Megs dad, Santa was in a car and off in a flash. Santa works with cars now, not reindeers, its 2006!!! For a while, Nathan attempted to see if he could find Santa, but was obviously (and thankfully) unsuccessful.



When he got back, we showed him the bag that Santa had dropped before running off. Nathan, I must admit did seem a bit freaked out at this point, until his mother checked the bag and showed him there were gifts inside with his name on them. There was also a short note to Nathan from Santa saying that he just popped in to prove that in fact he was and is real. Nathan's smile was by far the most beautiful thing I've seen (along side my niece) in quite some time.



How absurd, I'm not naïve, but a 7 year old taught me the true meaning of Christmas. He helped me find Jesus again. His smile shared with me exactly what Christmas is all about, exactly what love is all about and exactly what Jesus is all about.



Love



Love is what Christmas is really all about.



Now, thanks to Nathan, I can say that I've found Jesus underneath the trash.



Have you?

We need help...

I recently came across an interesting passage in a book titled "unChristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. It was a passage which really got me thinking, it seemed that maybe what they had raised was and is a rather important topic to cover or perhaps just ponder over. Christian's are believed to be hypocrites... I know it, you know it... In fact, I've even been referred to as a hypocrite (when I've rightfully deserved to be). I think it's an important issue we need to discuss, considering that 85% of those interviewed between the ages 16 and 29 believe and refer to all Christians as hypocrites... I myself have often referred to Christians as hypocrites...

Below is the passage written by Margaret Feinberg found on pages 62-63. It is a passage which got me really (really) thinking... One can sense her heart striving for that perfection. I want mine to head in that direction as well...She sums up quite nicely how I feel about this horrifying statistic...

Taken from "We need help" by Margret Feinberg

I thought that becoming a follower of Jesus would help me kick the sin habit, providing the inoculation I needed, but in some ways the symptoms just grew worse. I realized how much I was infected and how it was affecting my attitude, my relationships, my life. So the truth is that I’m fighting. I’m fighting sin with everything I’ve got. Some days I fare better than others. Odds are that if you are calling me a hypocrite, then you caught me on one of my worst days.

I am sorry. I’m sorry that I let you down and disappointed you. But the truth is that I ‘m not giving up or letting go. I’ve encountered a God who promises that the battle ends in victory – life instead of death. So call me crazy – but I’m holding onto that promise. I’m also trying to uphold the standards God has set. They’re pretty high, and some days I just find myself laying on the ground, staring at the ceiling. But then I feel an urge, an energy, to get up and fight once again.

I could use your help. The next time you see me behaving like a hypocrite, pull me aside and gently let me know. I’d really appreciate it.

Why is it that Christian's are referred to as hypocrites? What are Christians doing wrong or perhaps I should ask, what are Christian's doing right?