The Love Boat

The time has come to offically introduce my car to the world.

After using Shank's pony for a month or so, one of the church directors, John Tosy, undertook to sort me out with a vehicle. He would kindly pay for it and his wife, Mary Ellen would pay my first year of insurance.

Despite the fall in automobile prices, finding a car to fit the budget required that we do some "bottom feeding". We headed off to Helping Hands where cars are donated for a tax rebate and then sold to generate funds for charity.

As we were picking our way through the wrecks, my future ride was dropped off at the yard. We snapped it up, even though it had a siezed water pump and burnt out belt. It is a 1995 Mercury Sable GS. 3.0l V6 engine, which Americans describe as "economical".

It is white, so Heather named it the "Snow Mobile" in anticipation of the coming weather. When the snow finally fell, we realised how white snow is and how grotty the car colour is!

Some church members have named it the "White Cloud" My elevated driveway causes it to hover over the church parking lot like a small Cumulonimbus when it is parked.

It has the coolest headlight configuration. Where other cars have a radiator grill, mine has an illuminated panel that stretches between the headlights into one long "unibrow". Making my car look like a space ship at night! Step aside Cylons!

However, my preferred name for the car is derived from the nautical lines of the car. It has a funny flatness over the rear wheel arch which is reminicant of a boat. It has no metal rear window stays. The glass wraps around the rear of the car continuously, looking like a luxury yacht. The interior is blue. And I mean blue. It even drives like a boat. Chugging along, drifting carelessly from side to side with the slightest nudge of the wheel.

Yes, my car is the love boat. I don't care how high you lift your eyebrows when I say it.

30 Rock

At some point during the painfully protracted renovations of our home in 2005, Heather and I vacated our bedroom and set up camp in the lounge. I can't remember why this became expedient, only that for a few weeks we broke a rule we have kept since our wedding: to keep the TV out of our bedroom.

Despite going against principle, we enjoyed the destressing effect of lying in bed and watching TV every night. It was during this period that we became firm favourites of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien". Conan's off beat sense of humour and other characteristics (and the obvious common surname) have placed him in a branch of my family tree. (although I can't back that up with paperwork)

In time we grew to enjoy watching Jay Leno and discovered the extent of the entire NBC family of programs. One of the more successful series is Tina Fey's "30 Rock" which is a reference to Rockeller Centre, the central feature of the animated intro to the Conan O'Brien show. The Late Night studio and the Saturday Night Live studio is in Rockefeller centre. It is the Mecca of classic American humour!

Rockefeller Centre is walking distance from Times Square. I didn't care about how tired Timothy was, or how my shoulders felt like mince-meat from being Caleigh's public transport all day, we were going! Here are two pics of Christmas decor en route.

As we walked alongside the famous skyscraper we stumbled upon the NBC studio gift shop where I picked up some memorablia. I resisted spending $30 on a "I need more Cowbell" cowbell. Besides it didn't sound like a real cowbell. It sounded tinny. It has to sound right!

Outside again, the Rockefeller Centre Precinct was so busy, I became convinced that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were using the ice rink! Using my height to peer over everyone else I discovered that the mob was simply a lot of tourists. The famous Christmas tree is positioned in front of the Rockefeller Centre. Check it out.

Electric Euphoria

I'm having second thoughts about my thoughts on Liberty. Maybe it was a mistake to try and capture the essence of Liberty in a statue. The mistake of the ancients was to try and capture the essence of God in a statue. Still, Lady Liberty is inspiring and God-prescribed freedom for all humanity is my core value. Yes, that's right, I don't believe freedom is a human right, it is our Creator's prescription for us. If we do away with God, you don't get the prescribed freedom.

Just before our ferry ride we had stopped at Ground Zero. Much of the site is sealed off as construction on the freedom tower progresses. There is a slight residue of eerieness about the place, even 7 years later. Here we are posing in front of a picture of the proposed buildings.

On we went to Times Square. It is fascinating even during the day!

We hung out at Times Square for a few hours. Visiting the fabled Toys R Us that Justin De Reuck told us about. It has the ferris wheel and life-size growling T-Rex inside. This was pretty cool. Unfortunately the shop also had hundreds of growling shoppers inside, because after all, this was the Christmas shopping season and a big snow storm was headed our way.

The resulting crush was probably the most dramatic shopping experience I've had, and I wasn't even buying anything! Most of our energy was spent making sure our children weren't snatched. I decided enough was enough when I found myself standing in a pool of vomit that some overstimulated shopper had left behind. With so many people around you, you can't even see the floor.

After a visit to the busiest McDonald's in the world where the line to the ladies loo is ten times longer than the ordering line, we headed back out into the post-sunset square.

As we stood on the red illuminated steps above the ticket office, getting the tourist view of Times Square, Heather commented on how elated she was feeling. It was a chilly but beautiful New York night, no wind and the city that never sleeps had transported us into a the heart of her electric euphoria. Do they pump happy gas into Times Square? or was I feeling the addiction that draws millions to make this concrete jungle their home?

Reflections on Liberty

On the 6th of December, Brendyn and the O'Brien family went to visit NY in the care of our two guides, Danny and Eric. We spent the evening of Friday the 5th in a Sheraton in Hartford, Connecticut, where Danny, Eric and Brendyn would draw straws to decide who slept on the floor!

The following morning we entered the Big Apple. One of our first landmarks was the George Washington Bridge.

After passing about 37 buildings all called "Trump Place", (All that money brings little imagination!) we arrived at the New York stock exchange which thankfully wasn't emitting the sounds of weeping and gnashing of teeth, because it was a Saturday!

After that, we headed down to Battery Park and boarded the FREE Staten Island Ferry which would take us close enough to get a better look at Lady Liberty.

I was looking forward to the moment when we would sail past the Statue, as I had seen drawings of the Irish immigrants entering New York in the mid to late 1800s. The symbol of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness must have been a sweet site to the travellers after the harrowing trip to escape the clutches of the exploitive English empire. My direct ancestors had only managed to make the journey from famine stricken Ireland into the clutches and coal-mines of the English oppressor in the industrial north of England. I felt it my duty to complete their flight to freedom, all be it 150 years later.

The ferry trip was cold! Parental duties abounded as we kept a watchful eye that Michael didn't end up in the water and Caleigh wasn't abducted. As we passed the statue on our return trip I wondered whether I would have an opportunity to reflect on what I was feeling while seeing it literally in front of me.

Sensing the need for my moment of solitude, Heather gathered the children and took refuge in the warmth of the enclosed area, leaving me to ponder in the presence of one of the most famous sights on the planet.

I realised that the statue of Liberty represents something more than the American nation, it was after all created by the French, whose brutal grasp at liberty was far from ideal. Nevertheless, the French claim to have invented democracy and I suppose it was an act of French congratulation that inspired the gift of the statue.

I believe the ideals of liberty belong to no nation. Instead they are woven by God into the DNA of all mankind. Since Eden, man has a magnetism to slavery and God's intention is to restore man's freedom. God's desire is that every man bow only to Him. Subordination to a fellow human is below the dignity of humanity, the crown of creation. (Note: subordination is different to voluntary submission in the name of love)

The statue is fittingly situated just offshore, apart from the mainland, in almost a independent embassy to all who want freedom. Lady Liberty belongs to the world. If the French slip in to the slavery of unbelief, if the Americans slip into the slavery of debt, freedom will always call to those seeking it. The statue itself has no power to secure deliverance from slavery, only the name of Jesus can.

To leaders

The challenge of senior church leadership is direction and purpose. Where are we going? and what are we doing? The role of elder has been the subject of much debate for as long as I have been a Christian. Many an elders retreat has been lost to the introspective debate of “Who are we?” and the future of the church itself hasn’t been discussed.

I learnt again this year that in order to succeed in life you need confidence. In any role or responsibility, confidence comes from believing the Word and three simple principles. FOCUS, SIMPLICITY and BALANCE.

What is our FOCUS in leading the church? What are we trying to do? Get more people in seats? Get more hands raised for salvation? Increase the income? NO.

Our FOCUS is to get out the message of good news and teach those that respond to it how to live. The Reformation and its focus on faith might have led us to believe that our major focus was to bolster the faith of the faithful every Sunday. We find it uncomfortable to deal with James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

The bulk of our work with regular attendees is SIMPLY put, shaping practices in their lives. The notion that we should discreetly suggest a preferred lifestyle is incorrect. At the same time we shouldn’t become meddlers, nosy interferers, and heavy shepherds. BALANCE is the key here. The follower of Jesus should choose to follow an example of faith found in their leaders.

John Robinson gave this charge in 1620 to the Pilgrims as they were about to board the Mayflower for America:
“I charge you before God that you follow me no further than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. ”

A zen proverb states “When the pupil is ready, the master appears.” The success of your leadership is reliant on the readiness of those around you to follow your example. Command and control, spiritual manipulation and title driven leadership won’t do anything to extend the rule of God in people’s hearts, Acts 2:42 says “ All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” We need to restore the dynamic of eager followership to the church. The reluctant attendance and service that so many give is not heaven’s culture.

If a leader is going to shape this trend, he or she must pray. We will be fools to think that we will get anything without asking God. God does not respond to the correct statement of faith or the godliness of church members. God gives an answer to those who ask.

Time in Boston

Visited Boston City again today. It was envigorating enough to jolt me back into blogging mode.

We have always felt Michael struggles to see clearly beyond a few feet. He was given prescription glasses a few years ago which he couldn't adapt to. Well, he still needed glasses and the school and a local optometrist confirmed that. Here he is showing his new pair off.

Went with a friend, Mark, to collect my Rolex which needed a service. Turns out the watch, given to me by my Dad, is quite a collectors item. The model is nearly 40 years old and was made popular by the iconic Steve McQueen. Here is Mark posing in front of the city in the bracing wind.

After picking up the watch we visited the historic north end where many Italians find their roots. We engaged in a progressive lunch as we tasted the exquisite Italian cuisine. Here is a pic of the main street in that area.

The oldest existing structure in Boston, the home of Paul Revere was also on our walkabout. It is the dark grey building in the background.

On our way home we crossed over the newly built Zakim bridge which is reminiscent of the Nelson Mandela bridge.

Boston has an intriguing character, full of history. It has a great blend of European and local culture. Just love it!

Decision 08

Americans, are you ready for Election day and beyond? Believers, does Jesus ride a Donkey or an Elephant?

I have regularly encountered the presumption that God is partisan in this imminent election. The bible records God taking up an unusual position as the confrontation between the Israelites and Jericho loomed:

Joshua 5:13 'When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, "Are you friend or foe?"
14 "Neither one," he replied. "I am the commander of the Lord’s army."

God preserved his transcendence above the armies of Joshua and the people of Jericho. We might feel there was an obvious choice; that God should have sided with Joshua. Well He did, supernaturally Jericho's walls fell, but mere days later God sided with the forces of the small town of Ai over Israel. Israel were routed and there was loss of life because, through Achan, Israel had deviated from the plan.

God’s decision to be with a party is based on His purposes, not the party's political stance. God has favored Egypt over the land of Jacob in a famine (because of one man, Joseph), He favored Assyria over Israel militarily because of Israel’s backsliding, He favored Babylon over Judah for the same reason. He favoured Persia over Babylon for the same reason. The fact that the Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians were cruel and ungodly didn’t stop God strengthening them as they fulfilled his cause.

God isn’t blue or red, He is God. Does God approve of abortion? no, does he approve of loss of life in Iraq? no, Is any party perfect? Absolutely no. What does God want to achieve through this election? His purpose.

As always, the fear factor is a commonly played card at election time. We often end up voting against someone rather than for someone. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Fear is never a good motivation, so shake it off and fill your heart with optimism.

Remember, life-shaping choices are more important than political choices. God’s favor can abide on your life, family, church, community and even nation, regardless of who presides over the government

The right decision is to pray and vote with a positivity about the future. Choose an attitude of faith, regardless of the result.

Patriots and Flags

A real difference between South Africa and the United States is patriotism. The patriotism here permeates everything. From the core of life to consumeristic gimmicks galore. Americans love America and the ideals on which it was built. I must admit, the history of the founding fathers is very attractive and inspiring.

Don't get me wrong, there is an African pride, and maybe when the last traces if colonialism have disappeared (is that possible?...), and the grudge about past injustices fades, then maybe patriotism will rise amongst South Africans and the ideals of freedom enshrined in the constitution will be the cause of national pride.

The local football (American) team are the New England Patriots, named after the heroes who led the way to casting off the shackles of the English in the War of Independence. The NE Patriots have been a dominant side with a star quarterback in recent years.

We visited the Gillette Stadium and the adjoining shopping village, Patriot Place.
We paid top dollar to attend our first American cinema there. "Beverley Hills Chihuahua" ....oh well, I suppose I did laugh...
I am pictured here with Tim and Michael instructing them to get into shape so they can make Dad lots of money on that playing field someday.

The church rented a car for us to get around on Columbus Day weekend. A black Nissan Altima that I digged the most at first, but after a few days of driving I decided it drove like an old man's car. By the end of the weeked I needed stress therapy from the weirdness of driving on the other side of the road.

The car was convenient as we were able to take Tim and Michael to their first day at school in the US. Here is Tim looking bog-eyed before we departed.

The boys will commute on the yellow school bus, even after we get our own vehicle. It does a stop in the church parking lot and picks them up. Cool.

Here is a pick of Michael getting off the bus after his first day at school.

The most common expression of patriotism is the flag. It is literally EVERYWHERE! Porches, building, shops, cars, etc, Americans love flags. They REALLY love the stars and stripes.

On my walk to the local shops I walk past a memorial signpost to a soldier who lost his life in the war in Iraq. Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo. Today I noticed his father driving a pickup truck and trailer covered with flags and crosses past the memorial. He was being filmed professionally by somebody. He seems unable to quietly grieve. He needs to shout out through a film production that his son's death wasn't from cancer, or an accident, or an other unstoppable tragedy. His death was a result of the decision to go to war. This picture of a blend of patriotism and the tragic agony over a young, vibrant son taken away too soon will remain with me.

A City with foundations...

Saturday the 4th October was a crisp, sunny autumn morning. By 9am we were at Windsor Gardens station.

The station is walking distance from our home and definitely the most beautiful train stop I have ever seen. I must add that "train-stop-spotting" has never been a great pastime of mine.

Within an hour we were at South Station Boston and we began appreciate the city as we walked towards the New England Aquarium.

The aquarium was a pleasing experience but isn't as good as the Two Oceans aquarium at the Cape Town Waterfront. The interactive dimension of the aquarium is very good however, which kept Michael and Caleigh engaged.

Heather was in charge of navigation and I've never seen her so motivated! She proceeded to march us past Faneuil Hall towards Boston Common. On the way I spotted some ridiculously cool cars down an alley way that led us to the City Hall plaza where a classic American muscle-car and hotrod expo was being hosted.

I admit it, I became deliriously ectatic about every Corvette, Mustang, Thunderbird and low rider on display. Just be glad that I haven't posted every picture taken at this point in our trip.

As we arrived at the common gardens we were greeted by the typical western city cultural melting pot . Of interest were some antiwar protestors who were suprisingly loud considering their advanced age and underwhelming numbers.

I can't say that I don't in some way agree with their point. But is it my South African disposition (ie: complain in the privacy of your home about your government) that made me regard then as odd curiosities worthy of a photo, no more?

After a long trek and with the children flagging, we finally found the original "Cheers" pub. Inspiration for the successful TV series.

I had to assure my kids that "Cheers" was a really a good show and worthy of the footslogging it took to simply walk through the souvenir laden premises. To the boys horror we avoided sitting down to enjoy a meal there, fearing the Brand mark-up on prices. Besides if I wasn't going to drink an ale, what would be the point?

The passage of time since the airing of "Cheers" was emphasised by the pictures of a stunning Kirsty Alley who is currently parodied for her obesity.

Amongst all the walking and wonder we stumbled upon a grave yard. It was the final resting place of John Winthrop. He has a previous mention in my blog for being the founding father of Boston who preached a famous sermon casting a vision for the city as being a "City on a Hill". A city built on God's principles. A shining light of righteousness and justice to the world.

I felt summoned to the spot. It couldn't believe I had found his resting place so soon after our arrival. Don't get me wrong, he isn't a hero to me. I doubt whether I would have enjoyed hanging out with a Puritan. But his message holds a prophetic power today. I can't help think that God is linking the vision of a City on a Hill inside me to a dream of a godly man centuries ago.

A foundational moment in our Boston adventure, pointing to the foundations of the city of Boston.

Philosophy makes way for Philo pastry

I have been in the US for nearly two weeks and the urge to be profound has been overwhelmed by the need to re-orientate and prove how adaptable a South African is.

19 hours on a boeing 767 leaves you desperately dehydrated, but despite that, the flight was entirely endurable and the children were so well behaved!

A few hours at Kennedy airport was stressful and we were keen to get onto our connecting flight to Boston. We spotted Norwood from the air (amazing how hours on Google Earth can cultivate your aerial navigation) as we approached Logan Airport. Boston seemed so inviting...we sensed that this was where we were supposed to be. We were chauffeured to a local Marriott hotel in what the boys called a "limo van". It was a rented monstrous black Ford 15 seater similar to this:

We were going to move into the manse on the church property but work still had to be done on the renovations. We enjoyed the hotel, especially the American breakfasts. I quickly developed a taste for waffles and became a master waffle maker on the self service waffle iron. Maple syrup and whipped cream!

After attending our first Sunday morning services we were introduced to our new home. Check it out! Tommy and Maryann and the team at LWCC had outdone themselves!

The house is literally 20m from the front door of the church but is surrounded by a forest of trees and the yard comes complete with squirrels!

The challenge of getting the children into school remains as we are being made to wait a long time for a doctor's appointment for the pre-admission medical checkup. In the meantime the children are mooching around the house emptying the fridge that was graciously filled with delicious food by the church.

Oh yes, the food. Like their cars, Americans can eat BIG. Shops have loads to choose from and most foods are sweet. I like sweet. Much thought has gone into convenience too. Last night we enjoyed Toaster Strudel. Pop it in the toaster, drizzle on the icing from the sachet provided and Whalla! strawberry or blueberry in pastry to die for!

If I don't post pictures of myself, it means I'm picking up weight...

Why we need a hell

The last few weeks have been hectic. The "Boston or bust" campaign is energy sapping, leaving little left for blogging.

I've had thoughts on why Lance Armstong shouldn't return to competitive cycling, "Don't do it Lance! The magic of seven in a row will be soured by the words 'Lance has cracked!' coming from Phil Liggetts lips."

I have also been amazed at the irony of the Hadron accelerator, especially when the scientists attempting to reduce God to a particle "pray" that their very expensive experiment works.

Today I was burning some information sensitive documents when the fire grew especially fierce. My face reddened and I felt dehydrated as I stoked away. I thought about hell. I imagined standing next to a lake of fire waiting to be thrown into it's relentless fury. I was deeply thankful that salvation expressly promises that hell won't happen to a true believer.

Then I was reminded of how little we talk about hell. Hell has become clumsy talk, the scare tactic of outdated evangelists. Emergent leaders are steering us away from the strict heaven/hell, saved/unsaved catagorisation of all humanity. Admittedly, the latter is a drastic reduction of the meaning of life and the purpose of God. Even a fireman believes that there is more to life than getting people saved.

However, we are cultivating a contemporary faith that skillfully avoids the "H" word as condemnatory and manipulative and these days, preachers prefer motivational talks.

As I gazed at the burning bank statements, I recalled a recent broadcast of an investigative TV journal on child porn. There are many reasons why people do evil: indoctrination, poverty, fear, intoxication.... and I try to see through the act to see the redemptive potential of an evildoer. But anybody who abuses kids and seeks to earn renown by broadcasting the abuse online....makes hell seem like a heluva good idea.

My bewilderment of spirit at the depravity of such people finally finds a counterbalance in the thought of them being tossed into the consuming, devouring fires of hell.

I know that the bible teaches that the list of the damned at the final judgement will offer some surprises. Hell isn't just for the repulsively sinful. But child molestors convince me that a hell should and does exist.

Pursuing a Post-modern paradigm

The O'Brien family has been on a protracted search for ministry destiny since October last year. On September 24 we will board a flight to Boston, MA. to take what we trust is a huge step forward towards our destiny. I will be probationally joining an ex-South African pastor's team in the Southern Suburbs of Boston. As a family we hold onto a sense of God's promise as we step into many unknown factors in the months ahead.

The move to the East coast of America is in keeping with a prophetic sense I felt in 1997 and a passion to become a voice for God in a post-modern context similar to that of Europe. However it is exciting to consider the times we live in. Global influence is the order of the day so we needn't leave Africa behind.

During the last few years at Urban edge I became convinced that God wanted a church in Durbanville that was like the biblical picture of "A City on a Hill". A place that was much more than a venue where services were conducted. A few of us dreamed of a community hub where biblical holistic healing and development took place. At my departure from Urban edge I was confused as to why I had not remained to see the vision begin to take shape....

Check out this content from Wikipedia:

"The city of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has many nicknames due to historical context. They include:
The City on a Hill came from original Massachusetts Bay Colony's governor John Winthrop's goal to create the biblical "City on a Hill."

Sometimes we hear from God. but what we hear only makes sense later in time. I look forward to moving forward through time and making sense of God's destiny for our lives.

Blue like lint

I have been given an ample portion of body hair. I think it is from my maternal grandfather's Welsh side. So when I opened that "Have you ever wondered.." email that asked "Have you ever wondered why navel lint is always blue?" it was a lucid moment of realisation for me. You see, my "chest wig" is the ideal harvester of loose fluff. So I have regular specimens of navel lint to subject to scrutiny, and yes, navel lint IS always blue! It's one of those common human experiences that we share but find difficult to explain.


I was given a copy of "Blue like Jazz", by Donald Miller, as a birthday present. I am a few chapters from the end. (Finishing a book is a huge personal victory for me, but believe me, this one was easier to get through than most others I've tried). Donald Miller describes his book as "non-religious thoughts on Christian spirituality". I loved it. I connected with the author in almost every chapter.


The book makes you feel OK with the fact that you don't have it all together as a "Christian". He writes about the embarassing and underwhelming stuff that is common to everybody who is honest enough to admit it. Like blue navel lint.


He liberates the "Christian" from having to know all the answers in life. I admit, I don't know why navel lint is blue.


Are guys like Donald part of a new generation of believers that are so uncertain, so watered down, that they will become the weak link in the Christian legacy? I prefer to think of them as Western Christianity's only hope. Salvaging respectability for believers from the wreckage left behind by a preachy, smug, insensitive generation of delusionally "grand" church leaders.

Compassion Wagon

In the 70's and early 80's, before the Japanese minibus/taxi phenomenon swarmed our roads, the VW Kombi reigned supreme. If you were a deliquent male and aquired the panel van, or (shock horror!) had curtains in your Kombi, your choice of bumper sticker would be "PASSION WAGON: DON'T LAUGH, YOUR DAUGHTER MAY BE INSIDE!"



I'm quite sure the bumper sticker acted as a guarantee that the "Luvmobile" was never used for it's desired purpose. Nevertheless, that didn't prevent Kombi owners jumping on the bumpersticker bandwagon in droves.

We all have a tendency to join in on trends. Hey, I'm blogging..... The problem with trends is that they rise and fade quickly due to the lack of core value. I get suspicious of church trends. Not style trends. Style trends are cool. They make a church's atmosphere fashionable and contemporary. I'm bugged by thoughtless ministry trends. Doing stuff for God because it feels good running with a crowd.

I'm speaking on the "Kingdom Culture of Compassion" on Sunday 17th August. It's best I blow some steam before I speak publicly. I believe God is compassionate but I struggle with those immersed in a current trend of South African social compassion. Here are my issues:

1. It's obvious that the huge gap between the rich and poor in South Africa makes uplifting the poor a prerequisite to a complete gospel. But are the wealthier citizens feeling guilt about their ill-gotton historical advantage and seeking to redeem their continued position of privilege?
2. Why do I get the feeling that social compassion trendsetters have lost their confidence in the message of forgiveness through faith in what Jesus did on the cross? They still believe in the message of the gospel, but they don't seem confident that it is what our world needs now. Their world needs food, clothes, education, medicine and employment. However, miraculous healing, relief from life-destroying myths about God, and the need for an inward transformation of the heart are all somehow redundant in the face of practically addressing the endless social need.
3. The social compassion trendsetters are sometimes the new Pharisees. Looking down their noses at those who haven't tangibly committed themselves to the plight of the poor. In yesteryear, a commanding knowledge of the bible and obvious devotional piety created a moral high ground for selected believers. Now, those who have exhausted themselves in service to the poor and have embarked on short-term mission to a neighbouring nation are at risk of the subtle claws of self-righteousness.
4. The church is metaphorically described as "a body" in Paul the Apostle's writings. Every member of the body is unique and there for a different function. In the same way, church members will be different in passion, gifting and style. Surely that encourages followers of Jesus towards diversity in their primary areas of service? Should we all be volunteering at homeless shelters or the like?
5. Is all the aid, relief and expression of compassion achieving anything of lasting benefit for the poor? Or is it still well disguised colonial meddling? First, they came to annex and exploit, now they try to mend and support. God expects us to be compassionate to people who are in a time of great need. But every nation on earth that has risen from the mire of poverty has developed a resolve to become productive to some end, whether they were given a compassionate headstart or not.

Having said all that (got it off my chest). I know that compassionless Christ-followers are dysfunctional. Many mercy-gifted believers are pouring their lives into the poor with as pure a motive as I teach. Lastly, I know that without the compassion of God and others, I would be in a terrible mess right now. In troubles times, I'm glad when the Compassion Wagon stops to help.

No longer Christian

I am seriously considering being no longer "Christian". The only concern I have is that I might never get out of the habit of calling myself that. I also think I'll struggle to describe who I am to others if time or vocabulary is limited.

Before you think I've hit a crisis of faith, let me remind you that the first use of the term "Christian" was apparently as a derogatory label by opponents of Jesus' Antiochan followers. At some point the term Christian became appropriate, just as the object of Jesus' execution became a fashionable trinket. However, since then "Christian" has collected centuries of bad associations, from savage crusades to political agendas, hypocrisy, hatred and intolerance.

I also think the problem comes from how people aquire the label:

1. Formulaic conversion experiences that require little more than a raised hand.


2. Generational inheritance of the family faith without heartfelt transformation.


3. Understanding Christianity as purely cultural, or what you are if you aren't Athiest, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or New Age. (my apologies to all the other faiths and isms that I don't have time to list)

If we read the account of how Jesus made disciples we don't see him handing out heavenly citizenship to anyone who simply said a sinners prayer. We don't see "Christians" around Christ trying to scare their neighbours with the prospect of hell in the hope that they will "hop into the boat" to heaven. Instead we see a group who had committed to follow Him, imitate Him, model their lives after His. In the process their stuggle with sin and guilt was addressed and their lives became as attractive as His was. Rob Bell describes the practice of New Testament discipleship in his book, "Velvet Elvis". Not his latest work but definitely one of the most significant books of recent years.

I wish I was no longer "Christian". It doesn't say enough, and other have made it what it shouldn't be. I am a learner and a follower of the way of Jesus.

The War on Confidence

I am amazed at the confidence we place in capitalist economies that can go sour so quickly. Look at us! With costs surging all around us we've made a bed of nails for ourselves! The big, petrol thirsty vehicles housewives used to choose over the nippy city car have now become huge liabilities. Totally unsellable on the market, panicky owners secretly hope that the theft of vehicle statistics will include their 4 X 4 next time. The insurance settlement will go a long way to cooling an overheated budget. "Where is the crime when you need it!"

Our confidence is harder hit than the stock market in times like this. Doom and gloom predictions of up to 70% repossession of houses by banks is positively chilling. It is also fear mongering propaganda. Designed to crush your confidence.

Speaking of propaganda, check my current favourite advert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A6YZc78NnE (By the way don't believe that message saying the video has been removed. Try again, Youtube are too embarrassed to admit their server is busy.)

I am speaking at Urban edge on the War on Confidence this weekend. The power of negative propaganda will defeat you before you offer a fight. Propaganda? you say. From who? Who would want me to fail like that? And how can I fight the rising price of oil and the credit crunch?

I don't have all the answers. I do know I cannot make sense of life without God, who can reach down into the swirling waters of an economic storm. I also cannot make sense of life without believing that my soul has an ultimate enemy. Even though I am my own worst enemy most of the time, it is the Enemy of my Soul's propaganda that is at war with my confidence.

Kingdom Culture

Spoke on Kingdom Culture this weekend at "the View". Here is a fun clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSFoPMADKnk that demonstrates the power of culture to create lifestyle rules and control behaviour. Enjoy, (especially if you are South African.)

Believers cannot ignore the clumsiness that contemporary culture brings to the good message. When God became a man He incarnated Himself into the culture of ancient Israel. In the same way the Message incarnates itself into whatever culture it captures hearts in.

Most of us are familiar with (or repulsed by) Western Christianity with it's modern, materialistic thought. Some believers mistakenly equate biblical Israeli culture with heaven's culture. I'm sure it's true that in many ways the culture of "the Chosen people" resonates of God's culture due to their extended exposure to God's revelation. However, ancient Israeli culture must have had it's conflicts with God's culture in order to facilitate the rejection of God's Son for so long.

The truth is, this world has never seen the faith practiced without the skin of imperfect culture around it. This is a relief, as it explains how Christians can get it so wrong at times.

Preventing a Peeve Page

I get the addiction now.

You get impacted by something in the humdrum of your day. ie: you lose some data because you closed a program without saving. Big deal.... no one cares...insignificant event. But you are peeved, irritated, feeling your exclamation "Oh no!" went unnoticed in your office. Then it hits you.... I'll blog about my frustrations!

You decide to rant about programs that should demandingly convince you to save before closing. Or really, the information should be stored somewhere....like in a "break glass in case of emergency" file.

The truth is blogging could easily become about ranting, shouting out, shooting your mouth off without consequence. Hey, I wanna rant about those who rant. Who wants to follow an instalment series of poisonous barbs directed at every moving thing that manages to catch you in a bad mood?

I want to get addicted to digging out the nobility within me. Yes you end up with a pile of dirt, but that's OK if you find a diamond.

My lawyer on speed dial

Ok so I'm starting to BLOG. Who allowed that word to even exist?Yes, yes It's short for Web Log, I get it!.... but I still can't escape feeling that BLOGGING sounds like ...well....using the toilet!

Well I haven't made a very auspicious start to my blog career have I? It can only get better. After all, why would anyone blog in a safe, monotonous, matter of fact way? I reckon blogging is permission to get a little edgy. To scare, offend, shock with some direct talk maybe? I might need some legal advice here and there to keep me out of deep water. One thing is for sure, there is no need for "Pastor Ian" Christianese. Yawn

I do hope that amongst the reality checks, I will send an encouraging signal that your life is an amazing gift. And God gives life, he doesn't spoil it.