BLUE-PRINT or BRUSH/PAINT/CANVAS...
Erwin McManus writes in "Chasing Daylight" that maybe our focus shouldn't be so much on "What is God's will for my life?" than "How can I give my life to fulfill God's will?" This birthed in me some new thoughts, new questions, new insights.
Many books have been written that make a distinction between God's "allowable" will and His "perfect" will. The object of every Christian's life is to try and find God's perfect will for his/her life. God's "allowable" will is His portrayed as his second best for you. The quest for the Christian is then to seek for God's perfect will/ plan for His life. The metaphor that is used is that of a blue-print. I think that it comes from good intention and a genuine longing to please God. I do however think, that this line of thinking has bad consequences - that we make the will of God so complicated that most Christians live with the "guilt" that they do not take the time and effort to discover God's will. We abdicate our responsibility, privilede and opportunity to seek God's Kingdom in our lives. Our thoughts and words about God plays out in how we live life. The idea of God's perfect will then feels like something that is an absolute, and that we merely are chess pieces that is moved. It portrays a picture of entrapment more than of freedom.
I think that when God gives us the gift of life, it comes with a brush, paint and a canvass. God gives us the freedom to choose how to paint our lives, and it will please Him if our heart is then to seek how we can live out his kingdom in our choices. We have made so much of right and wrong, without considering what is good or bad, or even good and better?
Say for example you are in your final year of school and you have to decide what occupation to choose. In BLUE-PRINT fashion, you will then ask what does God want you to become? Does He want me to become a dentist or a teacher? In this line of thinking there is just one right answer, equal to God's perfect will for my life....
In CANVAS fashion, maybe it will not so much be a question of what is right or what is wrong for my life. I think you can choose either and then go on a journey of discovery as to how I can fulfill God's will through the choices I make. The questions now are just as important: what is the motivation behind my decision? Is it for the promise of riches, status, etc? And furthermore - when it comes to my passions, my talents, my skills - what would be a better fit for me?
Living the Kingdom gives me freedom to make my own choices, but also offers me the opportunity to engage my life in establishing the Kingdom - regardless of where I am...
And now, may we learn to paint....
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
RETHINKING "LOST"
A way of making sense of something we don't understand is to label it. When we can put a label on something then we feel safer, like we have handles on it. When we label something/someone we get handles on it. Labels are usually very general, and does not take into account individuality and even exceptions. Labels paint a very broad stroke - and is not usually very fair....
Take the label "Christian" for example. It is said that 70% of South Africa label themselves as "Christian." Yet it is evident in our society that there is no way that 2/3 of our population live the way Jesus modelled. When we think about our Christianity its very much in a bounded set - fashion. We draw a box, where everyone is "IN" who does specific things, go to specific places, speak specific things. Its also distinguised by what is NOT said/done/attented. On the other hand, those who do say/do/attend are "OUT". This reinforces "Them/Us" thinking and practice. Some Christians refer to these as the "LOST".
When we use this label, we tend to be very proud of our "spirituality" and "righteousness". Without realizing it, we become judgemental of others who is not "in" the box. The "LOST" senses this, and feel isolated and pushed away.
Maybe a better way of seeing ourselves, is in to relation to Jesus - where Jesus is at the center of life. When we then look at our lives, we consider what areas of our lives is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. This is a humbling practice. So even though there is stuff that I have put off, I am still aware of so many attitudes, ambitions, mistakes that is not in the spirit of the One I follow. Where the bounded set/box thinking remained stagnant - where I could be comfortable with myself - centred thinking motivates and inspires me to keep on moving, to keep on changing in following Jesus.
We get the label the "LOST" from the parables in Luke 15 of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. I have read a suggestion that when we think of these stories that we dont concentrate so much on the "lostness" of the items, but that we think more in terms of something/someone valuable that is "MISSED". The shepherd and the woman sets out to find the missing sheep and the missing coin because it is valuable and important to them. They leave everything behind in search of the missing....
How will it change the way we interact with people when we realize that this individual might be one of those Jesus misses most?
Brian McLaren uses the following analogy with regards to "lost". If I send a package to a friend in another country and it doesnt reach its destination - what do we say of that package? We say it is LOST..... when God sends us to the world, and we withdraw from it, and do not engage with the world in love and grace arent WE then "LOST"?
May we learn to see our friends, our neigbours, our family members as the people Jesus misses most, and may our lives be an invitation to be found....
A way of making sense of something we don't understand is to label it. When we can put a label on something then we feel safer, like we have handles on it. When we label something/someone we get handles on it. Labels are usually very general, and does not take into account individuality and even exceptions. Labels paint a very broad stroke - and is not usually very fair....
Take the label "Christian" for example. It is said that 70% of South Africa label themselves as "Christian." Yet it is evident in our society that there is no way that 2/3 of our population live the way Jesus modelled. When we think about our Christianity its very much in a bounded set - fashion. We draw a box, where everyone is "IN" who does specific things, go to specific places, speak specific things. Its also distinguised by what is NOT said/done/attented. On the other hand, those who do say/do/attend are "OUT". This reinforces "Them/Us" thinking and practice. Some Christians refer to these as the "LOST".
When we use this label, we tend to be very proud of our "spirituality" and "righteousness". Without realizing it, we become judgemental of others who is not "in" the box. The "LOST" senses this, and feel isolated and pushed away.
Maybe a better way of seeing ourselves, is in to relation to Jesus - where Jesus is at the center of life. When we then look at our lives, we consider what areas of our lives is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. This is a humbling practice. So even though there is stuff that I have put off, I am still aware of so many attitudes, ambitions, mistakes that is not in the spirit of the One I follow. Where the bounded set/box thinking remained stagnant - where I could be comfortable with myself - centred thinking motivates and inspires me to keep on moving, to keep on changing in following Jesus.
We get the label the "LOST" from the parables in Luke 15 of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. I have read a suggestion that when we think of these stories that we dont concentrate so much on the "lostness" of the items, but that we think more in terms of something/someone valuable that is "MISSED". The shepherd and the woman sets out to find the missing sheep and the missing coin because it is valuable and important to them. They leave everything behind in search of the missing....
How will it change the way we interact with people when we realize that this individual might be one of those Jesus misses most?
Brian McLaren uses the following analogy with regards to "lost". If I send a package to a friend in another country and it doesnt reach its destination - what do we say of that package? We say it is LOST..... when God sends us to the world, and we withdraw from it, and do not engage with the world in love and grace arent WE then "LOST"?
May we learn to see our friends, our neigbours, our family members as the people Jesus misses most, and may our lives be an invitation to be found....
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I've been bugged by some of you (well, the three of you actually) why there isn't any new posts. So here I go....
What would happen if we removed the "check and balances" of the hell from our theology? How would we live if we removed the fear of punishment from our view of spirituality. Dallas Willard writes in his book "The divine conspiracy" that we have reduced the good news Gospel-story to sin management. Its all about sinning less and less. Which leaves us with very boring lives - lives that isnt really so much filled with anything, rather just empty of certain things. I've heard Erwin McManus say that certain fires can be put out with water, sand, etc. But some fires can only be extinguished by another fire that is burning on another fuel. I think something beautiful happen when we are freed from our sinful nature, and we can live in the identity of how God created us to be.
May our message, and our lives, sing to the tune of people who has chosen to follow in the way of Jesus, not out of fear, but because of our confidence (faith) that it is really the ONLY way to live....
What would happen if we removed the "check and balances" of the hell from our theology? How would we live if we removed the fear of punishment from our view of spirituality. Dallas Willard writes in his book "The divine conspiracy" that we have reduced the good news Gospel-story to sin management. Its all about sinning less and less. Which leaves us with very boring lives - lives that isnt really so much filled with anything, rather just empty of certain things. I've heard Erwin McManus say that certain fires can be put out with water, sand, etc. But some fires can only be extinguished by another fire that is burning on another fuel. I think something beautiful happen when we are freed from our sinful nature, and we can live in the identity of how God created us to be.
May our message, and our lives, sing to the tune of people who has chosen to follow in the way of Jesus, not out of fear, but because of our confidence (faith) that it is really the ONLY way to live....
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
HI! Just returned back home after 2 awesome weeks away on honeymoon! I got married to my princess, without an doubt the most gorgeous woman on the face of the earth. Lizl and I got married on the 25th of May! Thank you for every message of good wishes through email and sms! Will try and upload pics!
As you all know by know, the Da Vinci Code, hitt the big screen! I read the book about a year ago and found it to be a good STORY. I think the movie didn't crack up to the hype surrounding it, but more people will see the movie than read the book. Over 60 million copies of the book has been sold! On this post I do not wan to comment on the accuracy of the book, or speak for or against it.
Today I want us to think for a moment why the story is so popular. Why is that so many people are drawn to the story? What can the church learn? Let me offer my 2c:
1.) The emerging culture is drawn to mystery, to the spiritual. Maybe we have thought away too much of the mystery and with our systematic answers and theology has reduced God and spirituality to fit our categories and little boxes.
2.) Maybe the world is looking at the church, looking at the lives of nominal Christians, and coming to the conclusion that there must be more. The must be more to spirituality, to God, to Jesus that going to church on a Sunday, knowing all the right words and prayers, but still not really living any differnt from the rest of the world or bring real hope and change to a desperate world.
3.) I think the book also confirms the notion that the emerging culture is drawn to Jesus. They are interested in who He was, how He lived and said. The emerging culture is not interested in the portrait that the church holds up.
How do we respond to people interested in the Da Vinci Code? I think we should go into conversation with them, find out what made them think , what questions they have. I think it could be a great starting point for conversation! Let me know what you think!
As you all know by know, the Da Vinci Code, hitt the big screen! I read the book about a year ago and found it to be a good STORY. I think the movie didn't crack up to the hype surrounding it, but more people will see the movie than read the book. Over 60 million copies of the book has been sold! On this post I do not wan to comment on the accuracy of the book, or speak for or against it.
Today I want us to think for a moment why the story is so popular. Why is that so many people are drawn to the story? What can the church learn? Let me offer my 2c:
1.) The emerging culture is drawn to mystery, to the spiritual. Maybe we have thought away too much of the mystery and with our systematic answers and theology has reduced God and spirituality to fit our categories and little boxes.
2.) Maybe the world is looking at the church, looking at the lives of nominal Christians, and coming to the conclusion that there must be more. The must be more to spirituality, to God, to Jesus that going to church on a Sunday, knowing all the right words and prayers, but still not really living any differnt from the rest of the world or bring real hope and change to a desperate world.
3.) I think the book also confirms the notion that the emerging culture is drawn to Jesus. They are interested in who He was, how He lived and said. The emerging culture is not interested in the portrait that the church holds up.
How do we respond to people interested in the Da Vinci Code? I think we should go into conversation with them, find out what made them think , what questions they have. I think it could be a great starting point for conversation! Let me know what you think!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Time! I need more time! Our wedding is only a month (literally) away, and things are hectic! Looking forward to taking a much needed rest when we go on honeymoon...
Recently I had this idea/brainwave/stirring in my heart/mind/soul as to what the source of my frustrations with church in general may be. Let me state from the start that I do not think that the church is anything near what it could/should/ought to BE. There is much to be learned/de-learned and re-learned. Part of me writing this blog is to try and imagine what a new kind of church would BE like where new kind of Christians would grow.
Was it Ghandi who said that we must become the change we seek? I sometimes wonder if that might not be part of where some of my frustrations come from. May it be that when I look at where the church is missing the point, I do so because it is easier to look at sometging outward and not at myself? May it be that when I am frustrated at how little the church resemble the church as the one in in the Book of Acts, or how few people really live as disciples of Jesus, that it might be that I am not living it myself? When I criticise the shallowness of "community" is it a reflection of my own unwilligness to open my lives to others?
I am not suggesting that we stop dreaming/imagining/creating a new kind of church. I am just suggesting that we look at our own lives with the same dedication, passion and seriousness...
Recently I had this idea/brainwave/stirring in my heart/mind/soul as to what the source of my frustrations with church in general may be. Let me state from the start that I do not think that the church is anything near what it could/should/ought to BE. There is much to be learned/de-learned and re-learned. Part of me writing this blog is to try and imagine what a new kind of church would BE like where new kind of Christians would grow.
Was it Ghandi who said that we must become the change we seek? I sometimes wonder if that might not be part of where some of my frustrations come from. May it be that when I look at where the church is missing the point, I do so because it is easier to look at sometging outward and not at myself? May it be that when I am frustrated at how little the church resemble the church as the one in in the Book of Acts, or how few people really live as disciples of Jesus, that it might be that I am not living it myself? When I criticise the shallowness of "community" is it a reflection of my own unwilligness to open my lives to others?
I am not suggesting that we stop dreaming/imagining/creating a new kind of church. I am just suggesting that we look at our own lives with the same dedication, passion and seriousness...
Friday, March 17, 2006
Paying attention to the log in our own eyes
In some of the South African newspapers (Beeld etc) a heated debate is going on about the use of God's Name. Some Christians have been outraged at a young south african band's using the Lord's Name in vain after a concert. Hate emails have been distributed, marches have been organized and letters have been sent to the newspapers. I underwrite the commandment in Exodus 20:7 that we are not to take the Lord's name in vain, and I want to take the discussion just a step higher. I have written an article that will appear in the Beeld of today (17 March 2006.) I raise the question if we as Christians don't make ourselves quilty of the same thing when we act in a way that is not in line with the Spirit of the Jesus? Everyone of us has an image of God and William Temple, an anglican minister, once said that if someone has a wrong image of God, the more religious they become, the worse the consequences are and later it would have been better for them to have been atheists. I wonder if anyone has tried to spend some time with the band - to just listen in a spirit of grace and acceptance? Maybe their image is of a God who just judge, who is distanct from our situation, a God full of wrath and anger? And when they curse this "God" is it really the One we serve?
I can understand that they would not want to have anything to do with Christians at this stage? Our actions might again have re-inforced the idea that Christians can be judgemental and without the love and grace we often talk about. We need to ask them for forgiveness in the way we have attacked and lashed out on them. We may need to pay attention to the log in our own eyes before we try to take out the splinter from others. We might be taking the Lord's Name in vain when we dont act in the Spirit of the One we follow........Ur thoughts?
In some of the South African newspapers (Beeld etc) a heated debate is going on about the use of God's Name. Some Christians have been outraged at a young south african band's using the Lord's Name in vain after a concert. Hate emails have been distributed, marches have been organized and letters have been sent to the newspapers. I underwrite the commandment in Exodus 20:7 that we are not to take the Lord's name in vain, and I want to take the discussion just a step higher. I have written an article that will appear in the Beeld of today (17 March 2006.) I raise the question if we as Christians don't make ourselves quilty of the same thing when we act in a way that is not in line with the Spirit of the Jesus? Everyone of us has an image of God and William Temple, an anglican minister, once said that if someone has a wrong image of God, the more religious they become, the worse the consequences are and later it would have been better for them to have been atheists. I wonder if anyone has tried to spend some time with the band - to just listen in a spirit of grace and acceptance? Maybe their image is of a God who just judge, who is distanct from our situation, a God full of wrath and anger? And when they curse this "God" is it really the One we serve?
I can understand that they would not want to have anything to do with Christians at this stage? Our actions might again have re-inforced the idea that Christians can be judgemental and without the love and grace we often talk about. We need to ask them for forgiveness in the way we have attacked and lashed out on them. We may need to pay attention to the log in our own eyes before we try to take out the splinter from others. We might be taking the Lord's Name in vain when we dont act in the Spirit of the One we follow........Ur thoughts?
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Having just read Brian Mclaren's article "Lost in translation - are there any new ways to talk about Jesus' good news?" at Sojo.net, it got me thinking on what metaphor would be fitting in an African context for Kingdom?
Maybe we could speak of the "TRIBE" of God?
As a white South African, brought up with a western worldview, my suggestion is from someone who is more on the outside than the inside. I do not by any standard want to create the idea that I know anything about it, but I think we need to explore new ways of talking of God's Kingdom. Our suburbs are getting more and more diverse and to be authentic in it we have the responsibility to speak a language that speaks to the heart of all.
So why could the metaphor of a "tribe" work to describe the Kingdom of God? Well, a tribe has a chief as their leader. In our story we have a Chief who is loving and just - concerned about all in the tribe. In God's tribe everyone is equal, and everyone plays an important role. The idea of ubuntu - where I am what I am because of what we are together fits well with tribe-language. The idea behind ubuntu is that it is not good enough that I alone am rich, well, prosperous - everyone in the tribe needs to be whole.
I havent done research on this, and would love others point of view, suggestions, correction?
Maybe we could speak of the "TRIBE" of God?
As a white South African, brought up with a western worldview, my suggestion is from someone who is more on the outside than the inside. I do not by any standard want to create the idea that I know anything about it, but I think we need to explore new ways of talking of God's Kingdom. Our suburbs are getting more and more diverse and to be authentic in it we have the responsibility to speak a language that speaks to the heart of all.
So why could the metaphor of a "tribe" work to describe the Kingdom of God? Well, a tribe has a chief as their leader. In our story we have a Chief who is loving and just - concerned about all in the tribe. In God's tribe everyone is equal, and everyone plays an important role. The idea of ubuntu - where I am what I am because of what we are together fits well with tribe-language. The idea behind ubuntu is that it is not good enough that I alone am rich, well, prosperous - everyone in the tribe needs to be whole.
I havent done research on this, and would love others point of view, suggestions, correction?
Monday, March 13, 2006
I just got back from a 3 day conference/retreat where we had Brian Mclaren as the speaker. Brian is a well-known writer in the emerging church world and you can check out his website at www.anewkindofchristian.com
I think the first thing that struck me while being at the event is that altough our democracy is over ten years old, we still have a long way to go as a nation. Altough there were some people of colour among us, the audience was mostly white. With Brian focussing on the Kingdom and how we get to play a part in God's unfolding story, I just realized that it's not just about what we as a church can do. The question is much nearer to home - what am I doing to bring justice to this world? Where do I get my own hands in what needs to be done? How open is MY eyes to the pain and hurt of this world?
Quoting Dallas Willard Brian pointed out the differences between having a gospel of "sin management" and the "gospel of the kingdom of God". We need to re-think how we see our role in the world, and when we get involved in our communities it should not be for good PR, but because it is part of who we are - BLESSED to BE a BLESSING.
Would love to hear from others who attened the event or just general comments!
PS Sorry for this blog being so boring when it comes to design etc but I STILL do not know enough to get all the bells and whistles. May the simplicity be a fresh air in our techno-world (LOL!)
I think the first thing that struck me while being at the event is that altough our democracy is over ten years old, we still have a long way to go as a nation. Altough there were some people of colour among us, the audience was mostly white. With Brian focussing on the Kingdom and how we get to play a part in God's unfolding story, I just realized that it's not just about what we as a church can do. The question is much nearer to home - what am I doing to bring justice to this world? Where do I get my own hands in what needs to be done? How open is MY eyes to the pain and hurt of this world?
Quoting Dallas Willard Brian pointed out the differences between having a gospel of "sin management" and the "gospel of the kingdom of God". We need to re-think how we see our role in the world, and when we get involved in our communities it should not be for good PR, but because it is part of who we are - BLESSED to BE a BLESSING.
Would love to hear from others who attened the event or just general comments!
PS Sorry for this blog being so boring when it comes to design etc but I STILL do not know enough to get all the bells and whistles. May the simplicity be a fresh air in our techno-world (LOL!)
Monday, February 27, 2006
HI,
Is there anyone out there? I have started this blog about a year or so ago and have failed totally in actually blogging anything. I quess no-one is reading this at the moment, so I will use it as a normal journal.
So a bit about myself: I am a 24 year old man from South Africa. I was born 10 April 1981, eldest son of Mike and Elna Bornman. My native language is Afrikaans, so if you do pick up any spelling or grammar mistakes - please have grace. I always had this idea that I wanted to study law and was well away of doing just that untill I responded to what I experienced God called me for. I studied theology at the Randse Afrikaanse University in Johannesburg from 2000-2002. I am currently a pastor of a congregation in Secunda, which is about 130km east of Johannesburg in the province of Mpumalanga ("the place where the sun comes up").
What I perceive to be my calling is an ever-unfolding journey. When I started out in this gig I had the idea that I would be a "normal" pastor - preaching on Sundays, starting new things and programs that people could fill their lives with etc. Through a journey of discovery I perceive my role as the following: "I am called to tell God's ongoing good news story in such a compelling way that it inspires people and esp. the emerging culture to trust Jesus as their Rabbi. I am called to be part of the movement Jesus started and not to be in an organization that offers spiritual goods for consumers. Its a calling to be and make disciples of Jesus in communities who wants to establish God's kingdom for the good of the world."
My life's mission is to disover God's Kingdom and to live in the Way of Jesus....
Any thoughts, comments, insights?
Is there anyone out there? I have started this blog about a year or so ago and have failed totally in actually blogging anything. I quess no-one is reading this at the moment, so I will use it as a normal journal.
So a bit about myself: I am a 24 year old man from South Africa. I was born 10 April 1981, eldest son of Mike and Elna Bornman. My native language is Afrikaans, so if you do pick up any spelling or grammar mistakes - please have grace. I always had this idea that I wanted to study law and was well away of doing just that untill I responded to what I experienced God called me for. I studied theology at the Randse Afrikaanse University in Johannesburg from 2000-2002. I am currently a pastor of a congregation in Secunda, which is about 130km east of Johannesburg in the province of Mpumalanga ("the place where the sun comes up").
What I perceive to be my calling is an ever-unfolding journey. When I started out in this gig I had the idea that I would be a "normal" pastor - preaching on Sundays, starting new things and programs that people could fill their lives with etc. Through a journey of discovery I perceive my role as the following: "I am called to tell God's ongoing good news story in such a compelling way that it inspires people and esp. the emerging culture to trust Jesus as their Rabbi. I am called to be part of the movement Jesus started and not to be in an organization that offers spiritual goods for consumers. Its a calling to be and make disciples of Jesus in communities who wants to establish God's kingdom for the good of the world."
My life's mission is to disover God's Kingdom and to live in the Way of Jesus....
Any thoughts, comments, insights?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
