Preposterous Gospel

There is not a whole lot more that I can say... apart from the fact that John Piper's messages have proved that he is grounded in scripture and God's sovereignty. It would be difficult to argue the fact that Piper's soul purpose is to bring glory to God alone, Creator of Heaven and Earth and ALL within it, rich and poor!

I refer back to a previous post "The Gospels in Today's World" when I say that societies' (and some who claim to serve Jesus), perception of what rich or poor is, is horribly tainted. The "Prosperity Gospel" may in actual fact exist but "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven".

Please give this a watch, I'd love to read your comments...

John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel

Flying on wings of WW2

Flying up the escarpment onto the highveld in an aeroplane is never a boring flight, flying at low level in formation in the cockpit of one of the "Flying Lion's" Harvards up the escarpment is almost unbelievable!! It's official, life could be complete! This weekend after attending an incredible air show in Tzaneen, I was afforded one of the most valuable, most memorable and just plain, cool experiences of my life, a flight home in a Harvard with the "Flying Lions" aerobatics team.


I'm not quite sure if it's the sentiment of flying in a classic WWII aircraft, the feeling of flying in a two ton bulk of metal powered by a Pratt & Whitney radial or if it's simply the idea of aviation enthusiasts watching from the ground as the characteristic drone of four Harvards flying in formation becomes pleasantly deafening as we fly overhead, that made this an experience never to forget. Whatever it is, I am inexpressibly grateful for the opportunity.
The experience also reminded me that there is always more than one perspective on any situation and we must be careful not to make judgment calls based on our limited perspective. Just the day before I was watching four Harvards performing an aerobatics display for the crowds on the ground at Tzaneen air show... always a display not to be missed! The unity of the team as they fly in formation is impressive to say the least. What many don't realise, and what became even more apparent from the perspective of the lead aircraft in formation as I flew with the team, is the trust that every pilot places in the lead pilot. As I fired off photographs of the other Harvards to the starboard and Port sides of us, I could clearly see that the pilots flying these aeroplanes were not looking forward at all but were solely focused on our flying machine. One fatal mistake from the lead pilot and the rest of the team are likely to make the same mistake. Capt. Lithgow flying on our starboard's wing was no further than a metre and a half from our wing tip at one stage. Essentially as each pilot follows their leader, four Harvards becomes one team, moving in complete unison.
Consider this... shouldn't this serve as an example to us of how we should be living our lives. If we remain absolutely one hundred percent focused on our head, Jesus Christ, and we trust him (who is more trustworthy than any lead pilot), our minds, our hearts, our bodies and our lives are going to be following the correct course naturally. We will not get lost, we will not make mistakes that could cost us our lives and better still, we will be functioning to our optimal performance. "Spectators" watching from "the ground" are not going to see one "aircraft" on their own mission making mistakes all the time but they're going to see us in unison with our saviour in obedience to Him and following Him with complete trust that He is the only way, truth and life. If we do take our eyes off Jesus as our "lead pilot" for just one moment, we'll fall out of formation and will fail to represent the team we fly for. Lets keep our wing tip as close to His as possible at all times!

Kids = Energy!!

Last week I had the privilege of once again, for possibly the 17th time in my life, participating in the Waterkloof Baptist Holiday Club. My name for the week... Capt. Jack Sparrow, original I know, but the kids caught on quickly and I was a good pirate at that!
There is too much to relate in terms of what a learning and growth experience it was again, even after all these years. One thing for sure though, kids energise us. They are not what sap our energy but they are the source of our energy. I felt more alive after dancing around a stage, jumping up and down like a hooligan, and generally acting like a twelve year old again than I have felt in a long time, and as most of you know, that is very much alive!! There should be a time in all of our lives where we find the child in ourselves again, no matter how professional the profile you hold in "the real world", no matter how adult you feel, no matter what responsibility you carry, no matter how brittle your bones, there is a child in each of us and re-discovering it is the most liberating experience of all!
Something else I learnt is that service is not something we choose, it is not optional, that is if you're living the life Christ created you to live. We were beings created in his image, created to serve! Unless we are serving others in this life, we are not going to be fulfilled. So, if you're feeling empty, low or purposeless, serve, serve, serve!! It'll change your life!! Christ said, "I did not come to be served but to serve", too many of us say "I am here to be served...” What can I say to that?? Your loss! Remember, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." Matt 25:40
God Bless you all as you find the inner child within you and are energized by it, and as you continue to serve wherever you see opportunity!