2010 resolutions: Part One

Worry is somewhat of an instinct reaction for me. I can’t seem to go a day or so before I stop and think about something that will be in short supply – and my instinct reaction is to think about how I can solve this. Repeated thinking like this equates to worry.

I love Jesus teaching in Matt 6:26-34. Mostly because as I read it I realise how I constantly live in disobedience to God – and I see with great excitement the gauntlet lain down for 2010. I am a worrier – not to be confused with a warrior. In the last three days alone I have considered – how I will afford to fly to England in 2010, how I am going to be effective at my job in 2010, how the heck I am going to master Greek, and of upmost importance to life, how I will replace my now worn swimming costume. So you see, all things great and small seem to catch a little worrying time.

I am not a fan of New Years resolutions, rather preferring to make lifestyle changes as God challenges me – I guess this one just seems to occur as I reflect on the past year and look to all that 2010 holds. And as I dream into 2010, I would like to be someone who trusts God more in the details of life. He has been so faithful to me in every circumstance, so much so that it is really foolishness to worry, because worry implies lack of trust in God.

Verse 33 of the chapter in Matt can be translated, “continually seek His kingdom and all these things will be provided for you”. It is my aim to continue to seek Gods Kingdom first this year and know that He is not a man who should lie, but the one who provides all things.

Spend an hour a day

“If you spend one hour a day for five years on any given subject, you will become an expert in that field”
Earl Nightingale

John Maxwell quotes Earl Nightingale under the context of pursuing leadership – but imagine the implications of this if Christians took this seriously when considering their relationship with God.

Surely our primary concern should be growing in our knowledge of God, growing in our relationship with Him, and as a result growing in our response to Him. I am so challenged by this quote to be diligent in my pursuit of God. To be more devoted to knowing Him and His word, to be more diligent in setting aside time to pursue intimacy with Him and to be more intentional about living for Him.

He is so other, so endless, so massive that I will never become an expert, but what growth this kind of commitment would bring.

The challenge has been set out, so what is our response?

Fri 31 July:Salvation, Elephants and Nyama

I have just got back from three days away in Gweru, and what a rich time it has been. Michael Eaton was working through a paper on the doctrine of salvation with us. Wow. Lots to think upon. The grace of God just boggles the mind!

A close second was the amount of Nyama – three meals a day! Normally too much but in the current home eating situation such a treat.

To top it off the elephants came out to play. They are such majestic creatures – so huge yet so gentle! It makes me marvel at our great God. To think that since being a wee one I loved these creatures from another world, and here I am living so close.

Monday 27 July:Power issues

For some reason we have been embracing 12 hour power cuts this week – must be a fault or something – here’s hoping. It is at that time of year when water and power cuts are at their worst so this might be my new power schedule. I am getting used to climbing the 8 flights of stairs to my flat in the dark. The phones are out as well, as they seem to be powered by ZESA – all good fun! At least tomorrow I head to Gweru – where someone else has to worry about cooking without power!

Note to self – get a headlamp for the stairs when in the UK! Three weeks now!

Tues 21 July: Car issues and proposals

It seems like all my hassles with the traffic cops have been laid side with the old TIP, full of its stamps. The new crisp clean paper indicates I have only been here two weeks, and a new visitor to Zimbabwe is treated so differently to the one being stopped two weeks ago. Maybe they thought I was overstaying my welcome or something! Today I was stopped and proposed to by the traffic cop – how lovely! Although I was glad I had my papers back and foot on the accelerator as I refused. You never know what is going to happen on the way to work.

Sat 25 July :New Creation

We are in the process of replanting River of Life with the new name New Creation. I have just got back from our first joining course (New Connection). What a great time. The new look programme was great, and it is so exciting to be part of this amazing church in this exciting season. I am so excited to be helping build the beautiful bride of Christ in this amazing city!

Sun 12 July: Broadway actor in Bulawayo

We have just had an excellent time with Broadway actor Bruce Kuhn, most well known for his roles in “The Three Musketeers”, actor Bruce Kuhn has memorised the books of Luke (KJV) and Acts (Message) and presents them as two separate monologues. We are launching a series in Acts at church and he kickstarted us with the rendition through Acts. It was so awesome to have the word brought so to life through, American, Scottish and Italian accents. There is so much value in taking a step back and looking at Scripture in it’s bigger context. We had lots of visitors as well, so here’s trusting God for growth in the Church.

Delayed upload from Thurs 9 July: Botswana

I have just got back from a day trip to Francistown, Botswana. I had to take my car out of Zim and get a new temporary import as I have been in Zim for about a year now. I was quite apprehensive as I set out at 6am in the morning – borders are never straightforward – especially with so much corruption flying around. We arrived at the Border about half an hour after it opened, flew straight through the Zim side and arrived at the Bots side to be welcomed by a massive queue of people. We parked the car and walked to the back, standing in the morning cold taking gradual steps forward at a very slow pace. After about 40 minutes I commented on how there were no white people in the queue, and that I was sure I had seen cars carrying white people pass us in the queue. I thought surely there can not be two queues? I saw another car drive past and followed them. It turned out those with cars were all going through to the front. You think they would have a sign – “if you can afford a car – you afford to go to the front”. I am not sure whether I was right or wrong but with freezing cold fingers and feet my car load and I moved to the front and sailed through the border (I was the only white chick!!) I was overjoyed to arrive in Francistown about 930am to find the fuel was only 5pula (about 1/2 the price in Zim), and filled the car with peoples shopping and fuel. It felt good to spend other peoples money in shops with shelves full of choice, and buy clothes for people I had never met (guessing their sizes and shapes!) The time went fast and by 3pm we were on the road again – with butterflies in my stomach we approached the border. After my BeitBridge experience moving to Zim I was not looking forward to this – but knowing there was much prayer covering this trip, I went through all the paper work – sailed through Botswana, and sailed through the Zim side with no car searches, or handing in of forms. The funniest part was probably at the ZIMRA desk as I tried to get the new Temporary Import Permit, the conversation went something like this:

ZIMRA: When will you be returning it?
SUE: Return what?
ZIMRA: The car?
SUE: Where?
ZIMRA: To South Africa?
SUE: To South Africa?
ZIMRA: Yes, when will you be returning with the car to South Africa?
SUE: Oh right, when will I be returning to South Africa? Right – this is a temporary permit……Um, well, UM – maybe just give me three months?
ZIMRA: Three months? No.
SUE: Okay – well um, I have insurance until mid August?
ZIMRA: Okay

So thanks for praying for a smooth crossing and my stupidity! I am happily home with a fresh clean TIP! Please pray I can get an extension from Bulawayo before leaving for the UK.

He sits on high as He holds it all together

So here I sit on a beautiful winters morning – the sun is shining, not a cloud to be seen and it feels more like summer. I still don’t have my car – but I think that I have my peace back –which is more important. This morning I have been looking back over the last month. It has been so busy and hard, but in the midst of it I can see God at work. He has revealed more of Himself to me, and it is this I hold on to. He is the faithful one, who provides and protects His people. He is so far above the world and all its happening. He sits as He holds it all together, and I trust His sovereignty in the midst of all that is happening.

He has provided the finance to pay the fine, so I am hoping to sort it all out this week, and then I can get on with life and be all that God has me here to be. I really need to start getting back into routine and making the most of the rest of this year.

Thurs 28 May: I need peace

It is so good to be in Joburg. The last two days have been real tough. I lost my peace somewhere along the line and just needed to be out of the country, so the timing of this conference is perfect. I need to get my peace back to make it back to Zim on Monday.

Tues 26 May: It’s gonna be one of those days

I woke today and had a great time chilling with Jesus this morning. I left with such a sense that this day was not going to go to plan and that God was preparing me to trust Him things that would not go well. The day got off to a great start. I had a good class catching up on all I had missed the previous week ready for my exam on Thursday; managed to book flights to Jozi for Thursday. I then went to immigration to extend my visa- and it had never been so easy. It took a total of 2 minutes full of smiles from the officer. Next to ZIMRA (Zim Revenue Authority) to extend my Temporary import. They had changed their process, but no problems – I paid carbon Tax, got insurance, and then waited for the stamp, I waited and I waited. For about an hour. I sat there thinking how well everything had gone so far. Looking back that should have been my warning signal. I left the office an hour or so later a little distraught, without my car papers, a US$400 fine and permission to drive my car home and park it until I paid. I made it through the day reeling at what had happened, but clung on to the fact that God had prepared me for this. He has called me here and He is my protector and provider – Two truths I need to cling to right now.

Fri 22 May: Isaiah

Wow – what an amazing week. It has been awesome working through Isaiah like this. It has been fantastic to be so well equipped – and eat so much nice salad ;-) No really I have learnt so much more about God’s heart for people, for mission, and about the character of the Godhead – how great and awesome, how mighty in strength, how far above all we can image, and how involved with His people.
Great!!

Tonight off to Kezi for I-Gen launch with Drew and Meg Land. I-Gen is a discipleship programme run in small groups – sounds good but really vulnerable – so mixed feelings there (being honest about our life is all well and good in theory – but in practise ;-) ) … that and I am so tired. Ready for June to come along and a month at home!!

Mon 18 May

Worst exam ever…no power so wrote in the only room with enough light – next to reception. I guess you have to visit Africa to understand the volume of talking ;-) To top it off I started a migraine about twenty minutes in. As you can imagine – it did not go well. Oh well life goes on!

Tomorrow I head to Gweru for a weeks training in the book of Isaiah. It will be nice to get away to a beautiful place and catch up on life a little….and obviously enjoy great teaching!

Thursday 14 May: Trying to juggle life

This week I started college again. I love learning and seeing new things – but man this is tiring. Juggling work and studies I feel exhausted just looking at my diary. But I have such a sense that this is a season I need to make every moment count so I am going to try and be diligent with my time. It is so easy to waste time – to just watch the days float by and not have done much. Running from A to B and not checking that I am doing what I came here to do. As God reminded me recently through a friend – this is not a training ground alone – but this is the finals – every day is filled with a purpose from God. My prayer is that God would help me manage my time well, and I would keep my eyes fixed on His purpose for me being here – and live it out to the max.

Mon 11 May: Internal or external?

What a great weekend – lots of faith for growing church and looking at our vision and values as New Creation. I also learnt I am to a large extent an internal processor – so give me time to think and process, but also need some external time – to formulate my final opinion. I always seem to be a mix of the two types. I do not have bi-polar!!

Friday 8 May: Life is no rehearsal

Today I set aside time to revise for my mission exam, how ironic that I would be sitting inside on such a beautiful day reading books when I could be out there doing the stuff. I am not a big fan of revision – my simple philosophy is that you apply what is good and live it out, but what is the point in dates, and theories? I think that’s my stance just cos I cannot think of a worse thing than reading over notes, trying to put them to memory – when memory is one big hole in my head. Exams are often a brain exercise more than a heart exercise – and for those of us with small brains and big hearts……I’ll say no more. But I would much rather be doing something useful right now!

This afternoon I am off with the church leaders to Kezi with the guys from St. Neots (UK), and am so excited to see all that God has in store for us. This is really an exciting season for us as a church as we look to replanting. Can’t wait!

Caleb turns three

My nephew turned three today. I just spoke to him on the phone - well as much as an over excited and over tired three year can talk on the phone. He sang happy birthday to me - maybe a little confused about the fact that you only sing happy birthday to the birthday boy, and then he played his new sax to me. The wonder of technology.

I am sad to be so far away from family on special days like this, but grateful to God for grace to be here and for free tickets to visit family in August. Yay!!

Believing Truth: Part One

I was reminded this morning that there is a difference between knowing the truth and believing it. As Christians we fall onto dangerous ground when we forget the importance of believing truth, we slip onto the slope of forgetting and before we know it we no longer know the power of that truth. I can say I know a truth, but to what degree does that truth have power in my life?

For example. God’s word tells me He is faithful. I know He is faithful. He has shown me so many times: faithful in His love toward me, faithful to provide for me, a faithful friend sticking closer than a brother, faithful to the promises He has spoken over my life and that of His bride.

Enter hardship, and I mean big hardship….not the kind where I just broke a nail! And the kind of hardship where this season seems to never come to an end. You know what I am talking about. As each week passes I begin to wonder just a little more about the power of the truth. God is faithful, but was He really there? Why is this happening, where is He? As time passes the hardship seems bigger, and my faith in God’s faithfulness seems to sink a little.

But I know the truth. Don’t tell me. I know the truth! I fight for the truth.

Yet it seems such a distant truth. What happened?

I allowed myself to forget the power of God’s faithfulness. I allowed doubt to creep in. God is truth. His faithfulness is truth. His word is truth!

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised You” Genesis 28:15

“God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried through?” Numbers 23:19

“He is the Rock; His work is perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” Deut 32:4

Resurrection of a blog: Attempt Number Two

How long has it been since I have visited here…? Too long. Way too long. Time is a funny thing. There is never enough in a day is there. Even if our day were 26 hours long we would still not get through everything we desired on that given day. I have found one simple thing to help…..a Macbook. You may laugh but apart from God this small (13”) aluminium beauty has been the key to the biggest life change recently. It feels like my day has gained an extra two hours, and in reality it has. I did some simple maths.

The Dell
15 minutes start up time – no jokes!
45 minutes trying to get an internet connection on dial up.
On average 4 crashes a day – that’s another 15 x 4 minutes to reboot.
Total time per day: 2 hours

The Mac
Instant start up – okay give it 1 second for good measure
Internet connection – as this is not totally dependant on the mac and the charming phone company in Zim is a little temperamental I would say 4 – 10 minutes.
No daily crashes – that’s 0 x 0
Total time per day: Lets say 8 mins and 1 second!

It appears I now have an extra 1 hour, 51 minutes and 59 seconds to play with….I think – maths was never a strong point.

I finally got round to writing my monthly newsletter….ahem…..for February, and had to skip over so much, what with the modern day reader having such a short attention span and needing to put in pictures as another medium to hold attention, my two pages had gone before I had started. Let’s see how blogging works at keeping a closer eye on the story. Comedy abounds every day in this beautiful and quirky land. So here goes…..Blog attempt number two, or maybe three……