Stewart 5

i am overly-ambitious.

(except with this blog post).

there, i said it.

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I read this morning and was so encouraged that I wanted to pass it on.

This article says that many white South Africans are coming back to South Africa.  Two specific parts I find interesting:

Moving companies, real estate agents and non-profit groups say more and more white South Africans in their late 20s and beyond are returning to South Africa. Hungry for their own culture, eager to raise children near their own families, and encouraged by their country’s economic potential, these adults are leaving their successful careers abroad for an uncertain future at home.

So, these are people whose families moved from SA, probably at the end of Apartheid, who are becoming adults and choosing to return home.  I would suspect that many are intentionally rejecting some of the values of their parents that caused them to leave years ago.

“We’ve certainly seen South Africans returning,” said Homecoming Revolution manager Martine Schaffer, whose website draws 17 000 new visitors each month. “At the beginning of this year, I think we have more people returning than leaving.”

More people returning than leaving…  Could it be that people are now deciding to stick it out and make South Africa a better place instead of running away from problems (perceived or real)?  I’ve always thought that South Africa will be a lot more interesting in the 10-20 years after Apartheid.  The first 10 years were certainly full of significant change, but now reality sets in.  Hopes in the government and all its promises are fading a bit.

Now what?  My hope is that this is when God’s people can show true, lasting, and life-transforming hope.  So glad to be here now!

Here is a company encouraging South Africans to come home.

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finally got around to updating our blog roll (to the right).

Added some good local news sights.

Added some good Jesus resources.

Added all the NCSA bloggers.

Added some sites for musicians we like.

Check out the links – you may find something you enjoy!

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any religion/faith/philosophy that doesn’t offer actual and significant change for the present life isn’t worth much.  I’m not saying that eternity isn’t important (it’s a pretty long time, after all), but I’m not willing to put up with a boring, miserable, meaningless life in the meantime.  Think about it – how great can your offer be if it only has power for the AFTER-life?

Jesus offers full life – NOW.  May we all experience the rich and wonderful life God desires for us every day.

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A bunch of us attended the Institute for Urban Ministry’s Bi-Annual Consultation this past Wednesday- Friday.  Lots of great people, speakers, and conversations.  Perhaps what sticks out most to me was the devotion that my friend Wilna de Beer gave on Friday morning.  She talked about courage, referring to the story of Jael in Judges 4:17-23.

I won’t recount the story here (but do look it up).  I will, however, repeat (paraphrase) Wilna’s points on courage (my comments in italics):

1. It is the ordinary things that prepare us for the extraordinary events.  How many of us seek training, being with the “right” people, etc. to prepare?  Or, how many of us just want to do the “big things” without the difficult or MUNDANE preparation that comes day in/day out over years?  I think of how Melissa, by loving and raising our kids, is developing and using skills that are nothing less than extraordinary.
2. Deliverance often comes from unexpected sources.  Hear that one pastors?  Hear that one men?  Hear that superstars?  History is not made by great people.  They just seem great in retrospect  (I just made that up).  Props to everyone who is overlooked.  You have a better chance of being used by God to change the world than I.
3. We need action, not just words.  Stop making plans and do something.  Think as you go.
4. Be willing.  In the end, this is all God asks and needs.  Are you wiling?  Are you?

I believe most leaders are leaders simply because they do something.  What is God putting on your heart?  Please do it.  Do not be afraid.  God is with you. God will never leave you nor forsake you.

May it be so.

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This week our community is practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting. While reading Richard J. Foster’s chapter on fasting from his book, The Celebration of Discipline, I was struck by the following: “Fasting reminds us that we are sustained ‘by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. In Christ, ‘All things hold together’ (Col. 1:17). Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting!” (page 55).

Here are my initial reflections…
God, through His Word, gives Life. Food sustains my physical body while Christ sustains my soul. I feed my physical body at regular intervals throughout the day. I give both time and money to purchasing and preparing what I will eat. Why do I give so much attention to my body and so little to the sustenance of my soul? Most days my soul gets a few scraps of time and often nothing at all. Could it be that outwardly I am well fed while inwardly I starve?

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Tonight, we worshiped with people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Unites States, and Canada. Our focus was on God’s Kingdom – sharing pictures, scripture, and song. In a very real sense, our time together was indeed a manifestation of God’s ways in action. It was beautiful.

One of the women from Zimbabwe prayed thanking God that we could gather in safety tonight – something that most of us take for granted.

I am reminded of how Jesus is the one who died to make us all free. May we remember him today as we celebrate our freedom.

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