tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65710102024-03-07T11:42:46.223+02:00RoadTalkThe thoughts, experiences, dreams, hardships of a fellow traveler on the journey to the meaning of life, love, existence and God.JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-42189332348772304762008-04-18T12:22:00.000+02:002008-04-18T12:27:42.235+02:00(Seeing that the comments and interaction has dried up on this blog since writing in Afrikaans, I'll go back to writing in English. No fun in writing for yourself, you know.)<br /><br />Next week, Lizl and I are moving to Johannesburg. I will be working at a church called Mosaiek (www.mosaiek.com) and Lizl will be working at Sasol Bryanston. So this weekend we say goodbye to the friends we have made in the 4 1/2 years staying in Secunda..... :(<br /><br />We are in the process of packing, negotiating with the removal company & security company, showing potential renters our house....and dealing with the emotions through the process...<br /><br />Any good advice from anyone from what to expect (and not to expect) once we are in the big old city?JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-81862308065707583152008-03-03T13:50:00.002+02:002008-03-03T14:01:54.911+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hoe ons God aanspreek....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Ek was laasweek deel van 'n Learning Community wat deur MissioNet en <a href="http://www.ekerk.co.za">Ekerk </a> aangebied is, onder leiding van Stephan Joubert. Stephan het op 'n stadium genoem dat wanneer 'n prediker die gehoor aanspreek as "u" dit dikwels afstand skep. Ons sal nooit ons vriende/eggenoot aanspreek as "u" nie!<br /><br />Hy het ook vertel hoe in die duitse kultuur mense aanspreek as "u", tot albei partye voel hulle het op 'n plek gekom waar hulle die verhouding na 'n volgende vlak wil neem. Dan drink hulle saam n Scnapps en 'n bier, en begin mekaar op hulle name noem....<br /><br />Ek het gewonder of die feit dat ek in my gebede God aanspreek as "U" nie dalk ook afstand tussen my en Hom bring nie. Die Bybel leer ons dat ons vriende van God is. En ja, ek weet ons spreek God aan as "U" uit respek. Maar se dit dat ek nie respek het vir my vriende as ek met hulle praat as "jy" en "jou"?<br /><br />Probeer bietjie om in jou gesprekke met Jesus met Hom te praat as jou leier, jou vriend en in persoonlike terme. Maak dit 'n verskil? Hoe voel jy?<br /></span></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-22031000418158221282008-02-08T15:26:00.000+02:002008-02-08T15:32:27.952+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">EERSTE inskrywing vir 2008!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ek pleit skuldig - lanklaas kans (of lus) gehad om iets hier op die blog te sit! En dit terwyl die hele land wag en kyk wat gebeur op hierdie website (grappie!). Kan nie glo die eerste maand van 2008 is al iets van die verlede nie!<br /><br />Hierdie jaar is die laaste jaar wat dieUniversiteit van Johannesburg my gun vir die voltooing van my Meesterstudies! Ek weet dit gaan baie inspanning, opofferring en werk kos - maar einde van hierdie moet (en wil) ek klaar wees! Die eerste hoofstuk is uiters moeilik - ek moet verduidelik presies wat ek wil bestudeer, hoe ek dit wil navors, hoekom ek dit wil navors ens ens. Dit is moeilik omdat ek nie in my voorgraadse studies enige blootstelling aan veld gekry het nie! Enige een van julle wat ook so voel? Enige iemand hier?<br /><br />Soms wonder ek hoekom hierdie blog nog ooit bestaan - dink ek skryf meer vir myself as vir ander. Gee my maar n geleentheid om bietji uiting te gee aan my eie gedagtes ens. Wil nie die site toemaak nie, want dit sal wees soos om 'n vriend uit my lewe te sny...<br /></span></span></span></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-85238353659176377002007-11-01T08:11:00.000+02:002007-11-01T08:16:05.085+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bybeljourney afskop!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Die eerste November het met 'n bang afgeskop! Ek kan nie glo die jaar is so ver gevorderd nie - soveel dinge om nog te doen en af te handel voor ons bietjie kan vakansie hou!<br /><br />Vandag skop ons 6 maande Bybeljourney af....ek het vanoggend alreeds Genesis 1 deurgelees en dit het my bygeval dat dit blyk of die Here iewers voor die skeppingsverhaal al die aarde geskep het, en toe daarna (toe die verhaal begin) toe begin Hy eers met die skepping. Ek dink wat ek probeer se is dat die skeppings verhaal nie noodwendig vir ons n wetenskaplike verduideliking van die skepping wil gee nie, maar eerder God se involvement met die skepping wil vertel. En dit is dan seker ook moontlik dat die aarde ouer is as wat die skeppingsverhaal is....<br /><br />Anyway,<br />Hoekom het jy besluit om hierdie journey saam met ons aan te pak?<br />My rede is dat dit iets is wat ek nogal altyd wou gedoen het, en ek glo dat om dit saam met ander te doen sal my motiveer om die journey end uit te loop (half soos om 'n gim partner te he!) Ek dink ook dat die Bybel geskryf is vir groepe mense, en dat wanneer ons groep dit saamlees ons kan leer bymekaar se vrae, insigte en journey....<br /><br />Ek hoor graag van almal! Hierdie blog sal vir die volgende 6 maande n gereelde deurloop vir ons wees!...<br /></span></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-28975951070311941282007-10-29T14:59:00.000+02:002007-10-29T15:03:00.697+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">BYBEL 6 MAANDE JOURNEY...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Ek het bietjie op die WWW gaan rondsoek na 'n paar programme hoe ons deur die Bybel kan deurlees....Ek het die volgende een gekry en dink dit kan nogal werk! Wat dink jy?<br /><br />THROUGH THE BIBLE<br />6-MONTH READING PROGRAM<br />Read the Whole Bible in 6 Months (26 weeks, 180 days)<br />The Bible contains 1,189 chapters (Old Testament, 929 chapters; New Testament, 260 chapters).<br />Reading eight chapters per day, and repeating Proverbs and the End Times books of Daniel and Revelation, a<br />person can read every chapter in the entire Bible in six months (26 weeks, 182 days).<br />ONE CHAPTER FROM EIGHT SECTIONS OF THE BIBLE EVERY DAY2<br />Pentateuch. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.<br />History. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah,<br />Esther. (1 and 2 Chronicles are read at the end of the Epistles.)<br />Poetry. Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon. (Ecclesiastes is read at the end of the Prophets.)<br />Wisdom. Proverbs (repeated monthly).<br />Prophets. Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah,<br />Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. (Isaiah is read after the<br />Gospels and Acts.)<br />Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Followed by Acts and Isaiah.<br />Epistles. Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,<br />Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,<br />Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. Followed by 1 and 2<br />Chronicles.<br />End Times. Daniel, Revelation (repeated throughout the six months).<br /><br />Ek kan vir jou n volledige dokument deurstuur as jy so belangstel om dit saam met ons te doen!<br /><br /></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-25991874259172450242007-10-25T11:13:00.000+02:002007-10-25T11:23:16.612+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">ONS LEES DIE BYBEL DEUR....is jy in?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So dis hoe dit gebeur het...<br /></span></span></span>Jacques en Peet praat vandag so bietjie op Google Talk oor watter boeke hulle besig is om te lees.Peet daag my uit om The Secret van<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span>Rhonda Byrne - want hy meen "lees die ding ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het." Ek spot sommer terug en vra of hy die Bybel lees want "ek wed jou daars mense in jou kerk wat dit al gelees het"....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nou ja...</span><br />Ons besluit toe saam dis n goeie idee om die Bybel deur te lees - om n beter geheelprentjie oor alles te kry. Maar in plaas daarvan om dit alleen probeer reg kry gaan ons dit saam doen - saam gesels oor wat ons laat dink, watse vrae ons het, en dit wat ons ervaar terwyl ons lees. Ons poog om dit te doen oor die volgende 6 maande - en wil 1 November afskop.<br /><br />Is jy game?<br />Laat weet ons!<br />Sien uit daarna om die journey saam te stap!JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-50618522703638059292007-10-05T09:06:00.000+02:002007-10-05T09:47:23.194+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">CHANGING OUR WORLD...one wheelbarrow at a time<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mozambique. For many affluent South Africans the new hotspot for vacations. A country where you Rands can actually buy something. A country of immense beauty.<br /><br />But this was not to be the Mozambique we would be paying a visit. On Saturday morning, a group of 12 white South Africans, started their voyage to the village of Panda, via Swaziland. The Mozambique we would see, would be reminiscent of a country impoverished by civil wars. A place where the average daily wage is about R15 (about $2). A country plagued by poverty and HIV.<br /><br />The reason for our trip was to help a local church with their building project. Kruik Gemeente (congregation), Secunda is linked with a local church in Panda through Mozaic Upliftment Trust (www.mozaic-ut.co.za) . Mozaic, with Gerhard Erasmus as its leader, is a network that assists Mozambican church leaders in discipling their communities, and equip congregations to raise the standard of of living in their social environment.<br />The leader of the local church, Eduardo, has lost the use of both his legs - but this hasn't stopped him from planting over 6 congregations in the last few months! The facility that we would help build, would serve as a community centre where other church leaders would be trained, and agricultural and health programs be launched.<br /><br />As part of the trip, i had the privilege to have a conversation with some of the medical staff in the village. One of the nurses explained that many Mozambican men work in South Africa, and it is common for them to attract HIV here. Back home it is not unusual for the wife to have a boyfriend - more as a way of getting food than anything else. Of course, this all leads to the rapid spread of the disease. It goes without saying that Mozambique and South Africa is linked in more ways that we can imagine.<br /><br />It is rare to find men in Mozambican churches. They either work away from home in bigger towns or South African. When they are home, they usually fall victim to alcohol abuse. During our time in Mozambique, the few men that helped us with the project - really made a big difference (you can just imagine how equipped a guy from South Africa,used to spend behind blaring laptop screens, can be with a shovel!) Through a local translator, I spoke with one of the Mozambican men - Carlos. Now you should see this guy in action! No job was too hard for him. I thanked him for his valuable contribution. He told me that he enjoys helping other people. He added that would unfortunately have to leave about 4pm, to get 3 hours sleep so that he could be in time for his work at the local bakery for a shift of 12hours!<br /><br />The next morning Carlos came back from work and gave me two Portugese rolls - to show what he makes, and a token of his friendship. I was struck by his generosity - here was a guy who has so little, but did not find it too big a things to give away. I told Gerhard that I would like to give Carlos and his family something - not as a reward for his hard work, but as a token of my friendship. Gerhard discussed this with the local pastor, and agreed to it. I told Carlos that I would love to give him something that I have made with my own hands - but that I am not very handy. What happened next will stay with me forever....<br /><br />On receiving the gift, Carlos started to run towards his chickens - picking up anything he can to try and strike one. Eventually, with the help of Gerhard, a chicken was caught and given to me as a gift (which I couldn't refuse.)<br /><br />There is so many things I can tell you about our time in Mozambique - of women singing all the time while working on the hardest job in the world - mixing cement; about playing soccer with local schoolboys; about worshiping together as one - as brother and sister.<br /><br />I am still processing through all I have experienced. One things I do realize is that I have received so much - and that with it comes a responsibility ! As a follower of Jesus, I am invited to live in the Kingdom of God - bringing GOOD NEWS.....<br /></span><br /></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-47669349670691196222007-09-04T15:14:00.000+02:002007-09-04T15:46:03.880+02:00<span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">BOOK REVIEW: Soul Graffiti: Making a life in the Way of Jesus by Mark Scandrette</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hi everyone! It has been some time since I have posted anything on this blog (between a busy schedule and Facebook I wonder what is the use of blogging here anyway? Any ideas?)<br /><br />About a month ago my wife and I went on a week's holiday and I had some time to catch up on some reading....<br /><br />I have recently <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">had the</span> privilege <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">of rea</span>ding this <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">wo</span>nderf<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">ul </span>boo<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">k b</span>y Mark Scandrette. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I th</span>ink the reason<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> wh</span>y it <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">conne</span>cts in <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">su</span>ch a <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">dee</span>p w<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">ay </span>with me is that for the last fe<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">w </span>mon</span>ths I hav<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">e f</span>ocused a lo<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">t on</span> th<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">e K</span>ingd<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">om</span> me<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">ssa</span>ge of Jesus. The version of Christian<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">ity</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> that I h<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">ave</span> been<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">x</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">po</span>sed <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">to p</span>rim<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">ari</span>ly h<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">as f</span>ocused on the personal dim<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">en</span>sion o<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">f J</span>esus' m<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">ess</span>age<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">. <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">M</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">y</span> eyes i<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">s op</span>enin<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">g t</span>o n<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">ew p</span>ossibilities...on bringing the per<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">sona</span>l side of Jes<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">us mess</span>age of salva<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">tion</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"> a</span>nd t<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">he social</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">of it</span>, together. Not that I am there in any way, but I have this ever-growing longing to keep on searching for the Kingdom of God.<br /><br />What I like about Mark's book is that he tells his owns story and journey in such a way that it inspires one to experiment with ways to practically live out Jesus' invitation to the Kingdom of God. He paints a realistic portrait of what you can expect, the possibilities and the obstacles of such a life. He reintroduces Jesus to us as companion, an artist, a healer and a mystic. Through the stories of other people he lures us into taking risks into forging a way in the footsteps of Jesus.<br /><br />implication </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">Soul Graffiti </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:78%;">is a wonderful book to journey with others. At the end of each chapter Mark gives some points to ponder and talk about, as well as some examples of "experiments" in helping you making a life in the Way of Jesus.<br /><br />I think Soul Graffiti is such a gift to those of us who is looking for more depth in our relationship with God....for people who is attracted to Jesus but find it hard to connect with Him through traditional ways and organizations....This book has helped me to form new ideas on how I can follow Jesus day-by-day in a real, practical and soulful way....<br /><br />I would like to post this quote out of the book and hear your thoughts on it: <span style="font-style: italic;">"I will remember that the Earth was made to provide for our needs through the Creator's abundance - not the work of our hands or the cash in our pockets..."</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-91531595761903892862007-06-20T14:27:00.000+02:002007-06-20T14:47:26.956+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">'n Post-nasionalistiese spiritualiteit<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ek het vreeslik lanklaas iets geskryf op hierdie blog, en dit is nie dat daar niks in my lewe gebeur nie - maar eerder dat dinge my bietjie besig hou.<br /><br />Ek skryf vandag bietjie in Afrikaans want dit is my moedertaal. Ek droom in Afrikaans, ek het lief in Afrikaans, ek dink in Afrikaans, en ek aanbid in Afrikaans. Ek vind dit opvallend dat soveel van die gesprekke wat oor die opkomende kerk en die emerging kultuur gaan geskied in middel-klas wit Engelse, en tot 'n groot mate mans. Ek besef dat ons Engels gebruik as voertaal, om sodoende dit meer toeganklik te maak vir soveel as moontlik mense.<br /><br />Om bietjie in Afrikaans te skryf is dan nie om ander uit te sluit nie, maar om die wat hierdie blog lees in staat te stel om vrylik te gesels en hulle mening te lug. Dit is nie altyd maklik om onsself uit te druk in ons tweede taal nie.<br /><br />Ek dink verder dat ons Afrikaans-sprekendes kan ook 'n bydrae maak tot die gesprek oor ons frustrasie met kerk, en ook hoe ons die toekoms vorentoe sien. Ons het 'n vol en ryk geskiedenis, met 'n spiritualiteit wat dikwels gekoppel was aan 'n sin van nasionalisme. Hieruit is baie van ons ook besig om te emerge en dit is nodig om met geopende oe en ore te kyk en te luister na hoe dit ons spiritualiteit beinvloed.<br /><br />Kom ons gesels bietjie daaroor. Ons bevind onsself in 'n post-nasionalistiese tydperk (ok, ek weet nie of die woord bestaan nie, maar dit klink baie clever ;)<br /><br />www.wikipedia.org beskryf nasionalisme as "</span></span></span></span><b>Nationalism</b>, in its broadest sense, is a devotion to one's own <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation" title="Nation">nation</a> and its interests over those of all other nations.<sup id="_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#_note-0" title="">[1]</a></sup> The term can also refer to a doctrine<sup id="_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#_note-1" title="">[2]</a></sup> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_movement" title="Political movement">political movement</a><sup id="_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup> that holds that a nation—usually defined in terms of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_nationalism" title="Ethnic nationalism">ethnicity</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#Cultural_nationalism" title="Nationalism">culture</a>—has the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community based on a shared history and common destiny.<sup id="_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#_note-3" title="">[4]</a></sup> For nationalists, the borders of the state should be congruent with the borders of the nation.<sup id="_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup> Extreme forms of nationalism, such as those propagated by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism" title="Fascism">fascist</a> movements in the twentieth century, hold that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality" title="Nationality">nationality</a> is the most important aspect of one's identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race" title="Race">race</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics" title="Genetics">genetics</a>."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Hiermee bedoel ek dat ons as blankes ontwaak het tot die feit dat ons nie beter is as ander nie, en dat daar ander volke en taalgroepe in ons land is. Vir my gaan 'n groot nuwe wereld oop waar ek van ander kan leer hoe hulle God sien, die lewe verstaan en ons bestaan hier interpreteer. Ek het nog nie baie ondervinding hiermee nie, maar tog sien ek al die moontlikhede raak.<br /><br />Is dit 'n onderwerp wat waardig is van n bespreking hier? Wat dink jy? Hoe het jou uitkyk op jou spiritualiteit verander na 1994? Wat het jy geleer? Het jy enige nuwe vrae? Wat word daardeur beinvloed?<br /><br />Hoop ons kan lekker hieroor gesels!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-76615518080274321812007-04-19T09:10:00.000+02:002007-04-19T11:55:24.331+02:00<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Life is a valuable gift, one you cherish even more after standing to lose it.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b><br /><o:p></o:p>I am so grateful to be able to write this post. A week ago my wife and I, together with 2 other friends, had dinner at friends home. While we were having coffee, four armed robbers came in, ordered us to “shut up”, and tied us down. They pulled the rings off our hands, took whatever they could out of our pockets and continued to empty the house. They asked our host where the safe is, and threatened to kill him if he doesn’t show them where the safe is. Our hands were tied in such a way, that we started to loose feeling in them. After one of the robbers helped one of us, another one came back in a asked what was going on. He said that we are complaining about our hands, and the guy (presumably the “boss”) just laughed, and then COCKED his pistol. At that stage I felt certain that he is going to shoot us. We were kept there for more than an hour and a half. <span style=""> </span>Throughout the whole ordeal we prayed, and could really sense God’s protection over us. The morning previous to the incident, my wife felt that we needed to Psalm 23 and although we thought we knew the passage so well, we did read it. While we were laying there, the phrase “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I wasn’t afraid to die; it was more the uncertainty of what they will do. The robbers were so at ease, that they took their time took count and divide the money the looted. I knew that if they were to try and rape any one of the woman, I will put up a fight. We are so grateful that didn’t visit us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>The proceeded to ask us for the car keys, and we had to explain to them how the keys work and how they can get out of the house. After the drove off, we managed to free ourselves, and could press the panic button for the security company to come out. The police were on the scene in minutes, and were very helpful.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It has been a week after the ordeal, and to say that our lives have not been touched by this will be dishonest. Through the grace of God, and with the passionate support of friends and family, we are picking up the pieces.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">THE ROAD AHEAD….<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After an incident like this, so many thoughts go through your mind. Will they come back? Where can I feel safe? Should I go overseas? Can I trust anyone? Can I feel safe again?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A lot is being said in our country to bring back the death penalty, harsher punishment for offenders etc. And I can understand why it’s being said – with crime so rampant in our beautiful country. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But Jesus is difficult. He says that we should <b style="">love our enemies </b>(Matt 5:38-46). We should not take revenge, we should not despise, we should not hate. But these words are harder to do than it is to simply read. How do you love someone who has not only taken from you earthly possessions, but also took from you your sense of safety and trust in the goodness of people? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Slowly but surely, I learn to open my heart for Jesus and allow him to transform my heart and my mind. Those four men who robbed us do not realize what they are doing. I have forgiven them. Their lives are in danger – they can be shot at any day, their lives are hanging by a threat, they could spend all of their remaining days in prison. They are in a desperate situation – at a place where they might be gaining so much of this world, but losing their souls. What happened in their lives that they choose to live this life? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a follower of Jesus, I believe and trust Him when he says that HE is the way, the truth and the life. I put my trust in that He knows best – that the best way to live is to be free…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and may we learn to love our enemies. We do not need more laws, we need more hearts to change. <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1160647075085134282006-10-12T10:34:00.000+02:002006-10-12T11:57:55.136+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">BLUE-PRINT</span> or <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">B</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">R</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">U</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">S</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">H</span>/<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">P</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">A</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">N</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">T</span>/<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">C</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">A</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">N</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">V</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">A</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">S</span>...</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">right</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">wrong,</span> without considering what is <span style="font-weight: bold;">good</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">bad, </span>or even <span style="font-weight: bold;">good </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">better?</span><br /><br />Say for example you are in your final year of school and you have to decide what occupation to choose. In <span style="font-weight: bold;">BLUE-PRINT</span> 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....<br /><br />In <span style="font-weight: bold;">CANVAS</span> 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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">better </span>fit for me?<br /><br />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...<br /><br />And now, may we learn to paint....JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1158831031838625662006-09-21T10:38:00.000+02:002006-09-21T11:30:32.063+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">RETHINKING "LOST"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span> 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....<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 "<span style="font-weight: bold;">MISSED". </span>The shepherd and the woman sets out to find the <span style="font-weight: bold;">missing </span>sheep and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">missing </span>coin because it is valuable and important to them. They leave everything behind in search of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">missing</span>....<br /><br />How will it change the way we interact with people when we realize that this individual might be one of those Jesus misses most?<br /><br />Brian McLaren uses the following analogy with regards to "<span style="font-weight: bold;">lost". </span>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 "<span style="font-weight: bold;">LOST"?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">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....</span><br /></span>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1156237668538353312006-08-22T10:47:00.000+02:002006-08-22T11:07:48.560+02:00I've been bugged by some of you (well, the three of you actually) why there isn't any new posts. So here I go....<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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....JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1152090650852725252006-07-05T11:06:00.000+02:002006-07-05T11:10:50.870+02:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1347/361/1600/Jacques%20en%20Lizl%20Bornman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1347/361/320/Jacques%20en%20Lizl%20Bornman.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I married the most beautiful woman in the universe! But then again, I must be biased!JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1151600629798609582006-06-29T18:36:00.000+02:002006-06-29T19:03:49.823+02:00HI! 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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1145960051915125042006-04-25T12:02:00.000+02:002006-04-25T12:14:11.926+02:00Time! 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...<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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...JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1142589593396569912006-03-17T11:38:00.000+02:002006-03-17T11:59:53.410+02:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paying attention to the log in our own eyes</span><br /><br />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?<br /><br />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?JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1142319653528585282006-03-14T08:48:00.000+02:002006-03-14T09:00:53.540+02:00Having 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?<br /><br />Maybe we could speak of the "TRIBE" of God?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I havent done research on this, and would love others point of view, suggestions, correction?JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1142266715387567822006-03-13T18:13:00.000+02:002006-03-13T18:18:35.386+02:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1347/361/1600/Jacques%20%26%20Lizl.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1347/361/320/Jacques%20%26%20Lizl.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is me and my lovely fiance, Lizl. We are getting married in 73 days and counting. Such a great gift to spend our lives - our hopes, our dreams, our struggles, pain and frustration - with someone!JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1142265927723544762006-03-13T17:53:00.000+02:002006-03-13T18:05:27.766+02:00I 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<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Would love to hear from others who attened the event or just general comments!<br /><br />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!)JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1141026251411035542006-02-27T09:29:00.000+02:002006-02-27T09:44:11.420+02:00HI,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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").<br /><br />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."<br /><br />My life's mission is to disover God's Kingdom and to live in the Way of Jesus....<br />Any thoughts, comments, insights?JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1121191879100013242005-07-12T20:11:00.000+02:002005-07-12T20:11:19.110+02:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/24/6862/640/47480010.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/24/6862/320/47480010.jpg'></a><br />Rob Bell and me in South Africa <a href='http://picasa.google.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571010.post-1118732962867545802005-06-14T09:08:00.000+02:002005-06-14T09:09:22.866+02:00HI! So all of this is pretty new to me! I dont have a clue how to do this! I would love for this to be a place where a conversation about our lives, culture and God can take place! Would love to add pictures, links,etc to the page but don't know how to! Would loves some pointers, articles, advice!JaCqUeS BoRnMaNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11627555088515291343noreply@blogger.com0