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May 31, 2005
Generosity
Rob was great on Sunday, speaking from 2Cor 8 on generosity.
We are so thankful for God's extravagant generosity towards us. This generosity is typical of the way he treats us. He is generous in creation, generously forgiving, generous in his blessings, generous in his mercy, generous in his love. God is not stingy. He does not only deal out limited doses of goodness, strictly according to what we have earned. Matt 20:1-15 - among many other passages - teaches us that God is (if you'll excuse the expression) not fair. He reserves the right to give us more than we deserve - even when he is hurt by our abuse of his generosity (such as the 9 ungrateful lepers in Lk 17, the crowd of self-centred followers in Jn 6, or you and me in our half-heartedness and self-centredness).
And so he calls us, too, to godly generosity. How do we match up in this? Are we generous in embracing and including those who are awkward or different? Generous in overlooking the faults of those who annoy and upset us? Generous in doing good to those we consider undeserving? Generous in speaking well of people? Generous in giving to the needy - even if we aren't sure they will use it well? Generous in how we treat those who disagree with us? Generous in believing the best of others?
Or are we mean-spirited? Giving only the time, money, and effort we think we can afford, that which doesn't cost us too much? (It is possible of course to give a lot without being generous - as Jesus' observation of the widow at the temple shows us in Lk 21:1-4.) Are we concerned with controlling and judging others - dishing out only the praise we think they deserve, and the financial help we think they will use properly - thus presuming to ourselves God's role of judge? Are we too busy with looking after our own interests to be able in any case to do more for others than appease our consciences with a nominal financial donation?
Generosity is opposed to meanness, to legalism, to efficiency, to control, to self-concern. Generosity is xenophilic.
So... are we generous with our words, with our homes, with our possessions, with our time, with our money, with our attitudes...? When we meet people like that - people who do not just give a lot of money, but who have a generous attitude to life, who are quick to see and speak of the good in others, and who show unearned kindness, that is so attractive, because there is something of God's character there.
Actually, I guess extravagant generosity is not a bad definition of grace...
May 30, 2005
Apologies
A few people have commented that I have not been posting much recently. Nice to know I'm missed.
The usual excuses - and normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
May 29, 2005
This Week's Good Idea - Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs.
Energy-efficient lightbulbs cut energy wastage by over 75%. That means:
* They are good for the environment, as there are fewer climate-changing gases being released by the power stations.
* They save you money. Each bulb can reduce your lighting costs by up to £7 a year.
Though they may not seem cheap to buy, they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs, so you don't have to change them as often!
May 17, 2005
Feed a child, watch a video
Feed a child
You can feed a child just by clicking on your mouse button - go here. (Thanks Ingrid for the link)
Watch a video
I had an email from Dido today. Having been so long in Burkina Faso, I don't really know who she is, but she reminded me that today is World Debt Day. And today - as on every day - the rich world will demand $100 million from poor countries in debt repayments while poverty is killing 50,000 people every day.
She also pointed me to this poignant video about Third World Debt, highlighting the craziness of Africans giving us in debt repayments MORE than we give them in aid.
May 16, 2005
Over the moon
Well done, the Baggies !
May 15, 2005
Pentecost - birth of a missionary community
Part 1 – A town in Israel, 1st century
The church is born – the day when God came to live in and among his people by the Holy Spirit. That day transformed a group of fellow disciples into the family of God. Just a few days beforehand, Jesus had told them that it was about to happen. These were apparently his last words to them before he returned to his Father – a sort of “DON’T FORGET what I’ve told you….” Rather like parents going away for the weekend. Just before they leave they repeat – again – that one most important thing to remember:
“When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the very ends of the earth.” And off he went. (Ac 1:5-9)
The day of Pentecost for Christians is not only about the birth of the church and the equipping with the Holy Spirit for our communion with God, power for living, and gifts for service of the saints. At the very heart of this day is the passing from Christ to us of the baton of God’s purpose to bless all nations – the gospel announced in advance to Abraham (Gal 3:8).
It is the day when the tide changes from a centripetal force, calling all nations to the temple at Jerusalem, to a centrifugal one, thrusting the temple out from Jerusalem into the nations. And, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, that day is marked by people from all nations, hearing the good news for the very first time in their own languages, before returning with it to their home lands.
It is a day when not only God comes to dwell among men, but also when his presence overflows beyond Israel to the world, beyond Gen 12:2 (I will bless you) to 12:3 (and all nations will be blessed through you). It is the day of moving beyond xenophobic self-interest to xenophilic other-centredness, that the whole earth may be filled with the glory of the Lord! The kingdom of God and his presence are now for all peoples, all tribes, and all languages.
This central feature of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost - the proclamation of the wonders of God in other languages to people “of every nation under heaven” tells us something. Its message is that we are and must be a missionary people. Our identity is inescapably tied up with mission. We are not only the recipients of his grace, but the channels of it to the world. When we are not missionary, we are not the church.
At Pentecost, God declares: “Today I am pouring out my grace to every nation and people, and I am sending you with this grace,” and so he says: “Go therefore…”
Part 2 – A village in Burkina Faso, 20 centuries later…
The darkness of the night was only accentuated by the few paraffin lamps scattered around the open ground. In the darkness, the shapes of small groups of people could be made out.
This was one of the early Fulani conferences, when the few Fulani Christians from around the country gathered together. Most were used to being the only believer in their village. And so these conferences had become a huge encouragement, as they met with other Fulani who were following Iisaa Almasiihu – Jesus Christ. The previous year we had had a record 40 people. This year there were about 80. Still small beginnings from a population of about 1 million Fulani in Burkina, but hugely significant as Pentecost began to have its effect with the birth of the church among them.
Being mostly new converts from Islam, they were unused to singing in worship, and the songs had been sung with serious intent, but uneasily, and somewhat stiltedly, as though they weren’t sure they were doing it right. I looked across at two of the old men, sitting straightfaced on the ground. They were clearly not yet convinced singing was a valid way of worshipping God.
Then, almost tangibly, everyone grew still and silent. And, in the darkness, a single, beautiful voice sang out clear through the night:
Bernde am na weli ko mi rewi Iisaa
Bernde am subi ko mido rewa Iisaa
My heart is glad that I am following Jesus
My heart has chosen to follow Jesus
I looked again at the old men. They were convinced. There was something pure, unpretentious, and spiritual about the song. The presence of Jesus was felt, the church was being born among another people. Men and women were coming to know God. The kingdom of God was touching people’s lives. The praises of God were being sung in new tongues. Pentecost was continuing to flow.
May 13, 2005
This Week's Good Idea - Book a day trip to Edinburgh !
On 2 July, MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is having a major gathering at Edinburgh to coincide with the meeting of the G8 leaders at Gleneagles.
As the leaders of the richest nations get together, we will be calling on them to use their power to act justly in favour of the poor. Specifically, we will be calling for trade justice, debt cancellation, and more and better aid for the world's poorest countries.
"The day's events will start from 11am, and will include: rallies with international speakers, celebrity supporters and music, and the creation of a giant human white band around Edinburgh city centre..."
"The event will be a family friendly, safe and fun day," with lots of activities..."
Ideas for travel and accommodation can be found here. See you there...
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy.
(Proverbs 31: 8)
May 12, 2005
More on Sudan
It is good to see Sudan getting some attention at last in blogworld. Ingrid at Sudan Watch, and Steve at Two and two makes five have been calling for our attention with persistent regularity, but often it seems we Christians are too preoccupied with blogging against each other to be concerned about such trivia as genocide or third world famine.
Now, Catez at Allthings2all is bringing together a collection of posts on the crisis in Darfur, and a number of people are responding to the challenge.
Since my last post on Sudan, the World Food Programme has announced it has only received half of the money it needs to feed the 2million people it is trying to help. Rations will therefore have to be cut.
The UN Security Council has recently adopted two resolutions on Darfur, one imposing sanctions and the other making it possible to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court. Good news. But action is needed to support the African Union troops there. The BBC says NATO is still examining the possibilities of sending more troops for peacekeeping work, but is not rushing in. Last week over 200 asylum seekers from Darfur protested outside Downing Street, calling for £30m to pay for a larger peacekeeping force of African troops there.
Human Rights Watch has some suggestions about what you can do if you are in the UK or US. They give addresses of people to write to, including Kofi Annan, the Sudanese Government, and your own elected representatives, to call for action. And, of course, you can also donate through HRW, World Vision, or many other organisations.
Food Shortages and Food Aid in Burkina
Food shortages and accompanying poverty and malnutrition are getting worse in the north of Burkina Faso according to a report by the FAO.
This is due to the impact of last year's locust swarm, which destroyed 90% of the harvest in the north of Burkina Faso. This was made worse by the problems in the Ivory Coast, which has caused the flight of many Burkinabes who had been working there and sending money back home to Burkina.
"Millet prices continue to climb, while livestock prices have been falling, the agency said. The conditions for livestock production are deteriorating due to scarce pasture and water resources. The movement of animals in search of water and feed has already led to local conflicts...Severe child malnutrition is increasing rapidly." Our area is a Fulani area, where cattle are the heart of the culture and economy, so people are very hard hit.
I had a phone call from Burkina the other day, from one of my Fulani friends in Gorom-Gorom. It was lovely to hear from them, but they also confirmed that the situation is bad there. People particularly need additional food aid for the upcoming lean season, livestock feed, and seeds and other farming inputs for the next growing season. FAO is appealing for $11.4 million to provide agricultural inputs and assist pastoralists in the affected countries.
Food Aid
I want to try and raise a few thousand pounds for aid specifically for the area around where I was living. This will be done throught the local church there. If you can help, please send cheques (marked on the back "Gorom-Gorom famine relief in Burkina Faso") to World Horizons, at one of the following addresses:
World Horizons, North Dock, Llanelli, Carms SA15 2LF, UK
World Horizons, PO Box 17721, Richmond, VA 23226, USA
Steve and I did distribute over £10 000 of aid across the north of Burkina at the start of the year, in liaison with the World Food Programme. But it was just a drop in the ocean, and we are now coming up to the hardest time of the year - when people have used up any resources, but need the extra energy for working the fields. Thanks for anything you can do.
God bless you.
May 11, 2005
Better news on the locusts
Good news: the latest report on the new locust threat to West Africa expects the invasion to be only mild this year. An added encouragement is that 90% of the necessary finance should already be available to deal with the threat.
The swarm is only expected to be 10% of the size of last year's swarm, which was the largest for 15 years, causing loss of 90% of the harvest in the north of Burkina. Cold weather and intense spraying of the developing swarm in North Africa have significantly reduced this year's threat.
Thank God, and continue to pray for Burkina. This is a huge relief. Our friends in Burkina are still suffering from the events of last year - not only the locust swarm, but also the consequences of the situation in the Ivory Coast. More on that tomorrow...
May 07, 2005
It's turned out sunny again (a poem)
It's May, the hottest month in Gorom-Gorom.
The temperature has been up to about 45C (113F) in the shade so far, and will reach close to 50C (122F) before the end of the month. At night, you sleep outside, with only a pair of shorts between you and the stars. But still the temperature leaves you sweating through the night. You wish you could unbutton your skin and climb out of that, too.
There are many challenges to overcome in taking the gospel to the needy and unreached of the 10-40 widow: spiritual opposition, physical hardship, discouragement, our own apathy... The heat is one more draining element in the battle. It saps the strength and wilts good intention. It acts also as a metaphor of both the spiritual need and the spiritual opposition that we, the church face, as we wimp out of the challenge to take the good news of Jesus to the difficult places on earth.
Please pray for my colleague Steve, as he perseveres in the ministry in Burkina, seeking to bring life to the Fulani. And pray for an outpouring of God's Spirit - both upon the Fulani, and upon the church He sends into all the world.
Now, I don't write poetry.
However...
This is a sort of a poem I wrote a couple of years ago during the hot season. I was sitting sweating in the shade of a mat shelter. It was too hot to do anything, and too hot to do nothing. And so I put my feelings down on paper. It's called: It's turned out sunny again...
