Lessons from a Newspaper article

"For at its best, Christianity is one of the world's most humane and tender of religions and deserves a better class of worshipper than many of those who lay claim to it." (Yasmin Alibhai - The Independent)

I first became aware of this great article through a friend posting a link on Facebook. I wanted to press the 'like' button, but there wasn't one. As I devoured the words Yasmin so eloquently put down, I kept looking for the 'like' button, as it is a well written article indeed. The longer the article went on, the more frustrated I got for not having a blessed 'like' button to click on (several times over).

Than it dawned on me ... is that all I do in my faith, just clicking a 'like' button, subscribing to a sermon or two, a few get -togethers with like minded people, utter the odd prayer, read the good book in times of need ... does the Jesus I profess to be my friend, saviour and king not deserve a better act of worship. I realised that in my faith, there isn't the option either to just click the 'like' button or leave a few comments here and there. My faith has to be a 24/7 type thing, otherwise it doesn't truly work. 

So here's to 2012, a year to have a more active faith, a faith that makes others sit up and take notice, a faith that makes an impact - as Yasmin (a Muslim herself) said near the end of her article, to  remind people of Christ who came to save them, a child born to asylum-seekers, the poor, helpless and "alien": all those embraced by Jesus Christ in His time. Wow, another lesson learned, all through a newspaper and the lack of a 'like' button. Wondering what lessons await me in the next year ... 

Lessons from a sprout

Oh, yes - it's that time of year again, when the Marmite amongst vegetables is once again readily available in the shops; SPROUTS ! you either love them or you hate them, I am residing in the camp with people who love the little green mini cabbage. Not only do sprouts raise the question on like or no like ... from as far as I can remember, it also caused another debate ... to cross it or not.

Many people take of the little outer leaves and will boil / steam or even roast them that way. I was brought up in a home where these little green things had also had to be crossed, as in, a little cross had to be made in the stem. No idea why, that's just what I observed as I grew up and as my mum did it, I just followed. Some say it assists in the more even cooking (rather than ending up with overcooked outer leaves and a crunchy inner bit). Whatever the reason, and apparently even the might Delia has been known to change her mind on this issue, it works for me, so I stick with it - how about you?

Of course the reason to blog about this is not so much about 'what's the best way of cooking a sprout' - for me it is more about the cross at the bottom, allow me to explain:

One Christmas (many years ago now) I observed my mother trimming hundreds of sprouts and all of them got the little insertions in their bottoms in the shape of a cross. Not thinking too much more about it, I went to play with my toys. At the dinner table that evening though, I had to ask about this 'cross ritual'. Mum answered very directly: 'cause my mum used to do it''. That's a good answer as far as answers regarding sprouts go. But still it weighed on my mind ... what if the cross caused all the goodness to flow out from the sprout ... surely that's not a good thing to happen. I never pursued this any further, until I had my own family, and had to prepare my own sprouts, cutting into their little bottoms, as I am continuing that family tradition, I suddenly felt my mind going back to that question, 'what if it allows all the goodness to come out'. Well, even Google is not satisfactory in answering that one for me. 

Since that first time, many years have passed and I am nowhere nearer to answering that question, but I have come to a very strange, yet satisfying analogy ... that goodness flows out because of the cross, and those who know about my beliefs will now sit up and hopefully have the same awakening as I had, if not, don't worry, just enjoy your sprouts this Christmas - have a good one. 

Lessons from a Muller advert ...

Whilst watching the new advert for Muller yoghurt - the one with Yogi Bear and Mr Men in it - I couldn't stop thinking about Mr Topsy Turvy who does everything the wrong way round, very often totally backwards. 

This led me to think about Jesus ... I know, strange link ... bear with me.

You see, there was a way things where always done until Jesus showed up and picked the fat kid first. So, not only did God give your friend more talents/brains/athleticism than you but he totally changed the rules to the game, under his new rules, everything is backwards.

• The last becomes first and the first becomes last
• The way up is the way down and the way to win is to lose.
• Instead of exalting the top dog, he exalts the underdog. 
• Instead of climb 'up' the ladder, he says climb 'down' the ladder.... 
• Instead of living, He says die.
• Instead of 'be masters', He says 'be servants'. 

In Gods story, the “religious goody two shoes who have been serving God all their lives” get to serve drinks at the huge party Jesus is throwing for the “rebellious runaway black sheep kids who have not contributed anything to Gods Kingdom”. I sometimes, feel inadequate and wish I had more talents/opportunities. But are you listening to me? Do you hear: God has changed the rules.

• It doesn't matter if you're the spiritual equivalent of the fat kid that got picked last in gym class
• It doesn't matter if you're lost or broken. 
• It doesn't matter if you're a cleaner, rubbish collector or you pastor a church of five people
• It doesn't matter if you only have one talent or are average at everything
• It doesn't matter if you've scored many own goals.
• It doesn't matter if you've disqualified yourself
• It doesn't matter because Jesus changed the rules. 

Our rules say guys like Lou Fellingham and Mike Pilavachi are first because they have more talent - which they do. Gods rules says the unknown, unsung hero cleaning the toilets before church is first. The good news is not: you're the most talented or influential 'player' on the team, cause you're not.The good news is in Gods story, the little guy is not only the first to be picked but he gets to play too. The fat kid gets to play. The un-athletic kid gets to play. The foreign kid gets to play. The unqualified, gets to play.

And I hope (to quote a Nigerian pastor) that I'm not the kid throwing a fit on the sidelines cause coach is doing something I didn't expect ... all I need to learn is this: With God, I get to play.

Lessons from the Thick Darkness ...

No doubt you know exactly what I am writing about when I say: "I had one of them days". Actually, it was one of them weekends. People needed me, they were asking me questions, I had no idea on how to answer ... yet I so knew they needed something, a glimpse of hope in their dark times, I felt powerless and after the third request for help, which I could not provide, I even started feeling useless, and to quote Enid Blyton - down the slippery slope I went, landing in a dark place. One of them places where one can feel the darkness ... where darkness becomes tangible and heavy and really dark. No doubt you've been there too.

Our church also kicked off a new season of 24/7 and I had once again chosen the midnight slot. You can probably guess that when you're in that heavy, uncomfortable, dark place, the last thing you want to do is go in a shed to pray. As I was there I sat ... and waited ... and switched of all the lights, to almost become one with the darkness I felt inside ... so, Come on Lord ... speak. NOTHING !

God in the thick darkness as drawn in the Prayer Shed

After switching the lights back on I decided to use the concordance (a big book with major words in alphabetical order and where to find them in the bible) to see what the bible had to say about darkness ... and that's where my eyes were opened (you probably already knew what I'm about to share, but for me it was fantastic). I've always been aware that God is everywhere, all the time. But although I knew it ... I didn't really know it. In my search on the word darkness, I came across Exodus 20:21 - The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Did it strike you, like it struck me? ... God, who in Jesus is the Light of the world, was in the the thick darkness. I hope you're getting as excited about this as I was. God is in my thickest darkness. 

Jewish tradition has it that Moses was drawn/led into the darkness - to meet God Almighty. The people remained at a distance ... that is so often me, especially when there is thunder and lighting and scary stuff going on, I'll (try and) hide away ... but God invites me to go into the thick darkness, where He already is ... I can not write down how this is making me feel, I just hope you discover it for yourself, the lesson from the thick darkness.

Lessons from a raindrop

"Everybody wants happiness

nobody wants the pain

but there will not be a rainbow

without a little rain".

As the rain is lashing against my window today, and the grey sky is making the world look all gloomy, I followed one of them little watery drops gliding down the window. Moving ever so slowly down the big expanse of the glassy window, almost in a most random motion, yet with a purpose. The watery sphere does not seem too bothered with any of the dirt it encounters, or any of the other little drops around it, it just is and it just moves. 

It travelled many miles, from clouds up above, to earth down below, and still it keeps on going ... and I am mesmerised by the little wet blob on my window. Translucent in colour, yet suddenly, with the help of a ray of light I see all the colours it hides, bright rainbow like colours, it's all there.

It makes me think of myself. So often people see me as a most colourful person, bringing brightness wherever I travel, bringing joy, spreading colour, for I am yellows and reds and blues and greens ... but sometimes, every so often, I am a dull grey and not to many people like grey, the hide away from the spectrum of grey, and I feel alone in my greyness ... all I need is a little beam to shine through me, to show the world the colours that are still there, in the 'overcastness' of the moment, I am still full of yellows and reds and blues and greens. Just shine your light, so I can reveal it to you, do not hide away from the grey in me (or others) but shine, so we can shine, so we can colour the world with a rainbow.

Lessons from the lady in a wheelchair

Sitting on a bench, just taking in all the sights, the sounds and the smells. The sun isn't really out, or maybe she is shining in all her glory ... but too many clouds are hiding away her glorious warmth and colour. For now though ... I'm just sitting on this bench, watching (as they say) the world go by, whilst wave after wave washes over the shingle, almost singing its own song.

Rollerblades roll pass, strollers stroll their prams and dogs on leashes wag their tails, all whilst seagulls fly overhead, singing songs in their own formidable ways. 

Than my mind wanders off, thinking what it is that brings these people here ... how about that couple that were clearly discussing the dinner party of the night before, or what about the elderly gentleman, all suited up ... but wearing open toe sandals ... maybe he needed someone to tell him it's still winter (never mind the fact that one doesn't really wear sandals with a suit) or the little ones' learning to ride their bikes. 

And than there was 'the wheelchair lady'. Obviously used to her life in the rolling chair - the way she maneuvers that thing around is quite incredible. I start asking myself questions as to how and when ... were you born this way ? Was it an accident that caused you to have to make this drastic change ? And yet ... from her face came this sense of peace, not a 'having to accept this' but a real sense of peace. Peace with the way life had treated her, the hand she was dealt ... she seemed so at peace.

I was sitting on this bench because I was feeling far from 'at peace with meself'. A row at home, a job dissatisfaction and a general: Why is I alive kinda feeling. But you ... in your chair ... at peace ...

Thanks for the lesson.

Lessons from a Bible Coffee Drinker

There’s no way around it.  I am addicted to coffee.  It’s not what you think.  Yes, I have a few cups of the brown liquid during the day, to get a little caffeine into the system.  But, the lure of java isn’t so much a chemical dependency.  Within the sealed aluminum canister on my kitchen counter lies an emotional connection to something warm, dark, and fragrant.
Coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life that I’ll never tire of and will always quietly keep me company.  It’s fresh brewed every morning and whenever something soothing or happy is in order.  Not only that, it goes great with conversation and seems to bring a smile when it’s offered.  

So, I’m sure it’s no surprise that I associate coffee with the Word of God.   I’m curious today…  What kind of Bible coffee drinker are you?  

Black Coffee – Likes the Word plain and straight.  You are a hard core Berean, who enjoys printing out the text without paragraph breaks, line by line. Your Bible is clean from notes or commentaries, just the Scriptures and maybe a concordance. You hold a separate collection of Bible dictionaries and commentaries for reference and stuff your notes in 3-ring binders that cause your shelves to sag.  

Cappuccino – Likes the Word like a shot of espresso, indulged with frothy foam.  You enjoy digging into the Word with notes and commentaries readily available, inserted alongside the text.  Your Bible is a Study Bible, and it’s most likely the Amplified Version, although you switch between that and NIV.  You underline and make notes in the margin.  The Good Book is covered in either (faux) leather or in a canvas Bible cover.  

Latte – Likes the Word, rich and creamy, and enjoys a foamy mustache.  You love walking through the Word with companions of devotional thoughts or inspirational questions.  Your bookshelf is never short of a fave devotional or Bible Study series. Your Bible might be a Life Application Bible, or it’s simply paired with your favorite “Daily Bread” or stacked on top of a study book.  

Mocha – Likes the Word, like a chocolaty treat, a rich confectionery splurge.  You love journaling in the Word, reflecting on Christian writing, meditations or even art, music and photography.  The Word comes alive in a mosaic of artistic expressions.  Your Bible might be a Journaling Bible where you weave whatever prompts your heart into God’s words.  You are an artist who takes in the Word and sees it reflected in unexpected places.

Really .... just hope you love the Word, however it comes.

(from www.faithbarista.com)