Is your measure of success amassing money as quickly as possible so you can retire young and live an idle life, you fool?
Success
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Choose Life (Part 4)
//The last entry in our series on Choosing Life. This time around we discuss the value of making choices for the lives that come after you. For the people you may never need, yet are greatly affected by the decisions we, as individuals and as a collective, make.
Choose Life (part 3)
//We continue our series on Choosing Life. This time around, we ask the important question: What is life? Moreover, does it go beyond just having a pulse?
Choose Life (part 2)
//This is the second of a four part look into the concept of Choosing Life. It is well advised you watch last week’s video before this one.
We use a method of textual analysis to see what different pieces of scripture mean by looking at them through different guises. Last week we ask the question: ‘What does the text say about human beings’? This week we ask the question ‘what do we learn about God from reading the text’?
Just a Thought No. 8
//Human beings always have a choice. Sometimes the options aren’t great, but human beings always have a choice. What will you choose?
Sunday 20th February 2011
//Welcome everyone!
This past Tuesday we had our first Order of Donkeys’ meeting. This is the name we have given to the Leadership Team at CMM, reminding us of that old, old story, and our single most important task is to humbly carry Jesus into this city.
We realize that in order for us to faithfully carry Jesus in this city our most important task is to safeguard and grow our relationship with Jesus through prayer and reflection on the Scriptures, together. We have therefore not only committed to hold each other accountable to prayer and devotion, but also agreed to meet at CMM on a Sunday morning at 9am before the service to pray together. This actually may be the most important decision the Order of Donkey’s ever makes! This is open to everyone!! How good it would be if we could all gather for prayer practice at 9am before the service.
Wednesday Church is alive and nourishing. Remember none of us can survive longer than three days without water. Wednesday Church promises living-water to inspire, challenge and comfort. Once again how awe-some it would be if all us met midweek to worship God and grow as a Christ-centered Community. See you there, Alan.
Saved from Fear
//Our lives are ruled by fear. If you live South Africa, the high walls are symbolic of the fear of what lives outside. Jobs we deplore that have good benefits are symbolic of our fear of not having security.
Yet, when we look beyond the walls of our homes, and embrace our neighbours and strangers, something beautiful happens. When we quit high paying occupations to pursue financially risky activities that bring us to life, something beautiful happens. We love those around us, and we love who we become.
And so, if we want to be saved, and we want to be loved, why are we slaves of our fears?
Following Jesus is not Safe
//Following Jesus is not Safe
Persecution follows faith. Those proclaiming otherwise are lying. In fact, Jesus readily admits following him is unsafe. So what then is the value of following Jesus if you know it is not safe?
Sunday 13th February 2011
//Welcome everyone! On Thursday evening, as I sat down to write this letter I heard the State of the Nation 21 Gun Salute. I felt the buildings around my office slightly shudder. I heard the military band and imagined the military accompaniment.
Why is it that we use machines of death to celebrate the state of a nation? These instruments of destruction point to a nation’s shame not glory. Have our imaginations become so stunted that we are unable to express our nationhood with signs and symbols of life and unity? Symbols that remind us that we are part of a larger world, that we are called to care for, instead of threaten.
There is one country in the world that we can learn from in this regard. On December 1, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer, of Costa Rica, abolished the military of Costa Rica after victory in the civil war in that year. In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet, symbolizing the end of Costa Rica’s military spirit. In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution.
The budget previously dedicated to the military now is dedicated to security, education and culture; the country maintains Police Guard forces. The museum Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, was placed in the Cuartel Bellavista as a symbol of commitment to culture. In 1986, President Oscar Arias Sánchez declared December 1 as the Día de la Abolición del Ejército (Military abolition day) with Law #8115.
Thank you God for inspiring and faithful examples. Lord help us as a nation, to follow. Alan
Just a Thought No. 5
//Blessed are the Poor
An indisputable fact of life is our experiences dictate our perceptions. And while most wish for wealth, health and prosperity, is there a risk that we’re missing the world the poor, ill and suffering are seeing?
Blessed are the poor is absurd at surface level, but is it really absurd when we burrow deeper? – Motheo