JUNE 2010
Editor’s note
1
A matter of life and death Timeless words Pentacost I pray...
A presidential pardon
9
Can a 1000 words paint a new picture?
11
2
5
6 7
8 (plus 3)
13
Coach Col
14
Elev8
15
:
R COMMENTS
SEND US YOU
email Email us at illumin8ezine@gmail.com. Use this address to send us feedback, submit testimonies & to ask us to add you to our mailing list.
facebook Visit www.illumin8.co.za to download past editions of illumin8 & check out our latest posts.
www We also have a Facebook group so that you can communicate with other readers or post comments.
e t o n s ’ or
t i d e er
ad e R r a De
Lucy illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
1
1
By Veronika
With His spoken word, God created life; He brought creation into being.
1
LIFE (noun) (pl. lives) the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth and functional activity. 2 the existence of an individual human being or animal. 3 vitality, vigour, or energy. DEATH2 (noun) 1 the action or fact of dying. Gloeck 3 1 DIE (verb) (dying) stop living. 2 3 (die out) become extinct. (often die away/down) become less loud or strong.
While the power to create something out of nothing belongs exclusively to God, our Creator chose to fashion us in His image and likeness6. We can therefore expect to possess whispers of His Divine nature. Since God is able to create using His spoken word alone, we too - being created in His likeness - can expect our own words to possess creative power. Our words have the ability to create that which is good, but also, because of our fallen nature, that which is bad.
Life and death. The extremity, and perhaps even abstract nature, of this passage of Scripture can cause us to shy away from the very real, down-to-earth ability that our words have to create life and pronounce death. We see it so clearly when we observe how a conversation can quickly turn sour with just a single contribution. It is far easier to turn a conversation sour, than it is to persistently be the good news carrier and inject words of encouragement, hope and life. This is true for 0any situations, but I want to turn our microscope to the impact that our words have on other people, and their journey with God.
Have you ever wondered how you might respond if the fate of another human being lay in your hands; if your verdict were to determine the future of another person? It may be easy to assign that kind of a decision to a judge who has been presented with conclusive evidence, but Scripture teaches us that life and death lies in the power of the tongue4.
My tongue. Your tongue. Dialogue has always been an integral component of human nature, and like breathing, we can so easily wake up in the morning and begin to pour forth speech without much thought of the seeds we are sowing. Unlike our actions, spoken words do not seem to have much of a tangible effect. But if Scripture says that life and death lies in the power of the tongue, we cannot escape the weight and eternal consequence of the words which we speak out. In Genesis, we read that God created the heavens and the earth with His spoken word. God said, “Let there be light5� and there was. God said. And it was.
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
2
Designed by: Wanja
I have always been one to enjoy having an opinion – almost like a hobby. I have, over time though, become more sensitive to the fact that there are often people behind my opinions. Living flesh and blood. With pumping hearts. People with emotions, hopes, dreams and fears.
never achieve. I have seen words of life and encouragement break the weighty bonds of death over people's lives, and I know it is possible.
Life.
Real people.
James devoted large portion of his letter to addressing matters of the 7 tongue. He writes , “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
During my involvement in youth ministry with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) over the last three years, I have repeatedly been confronted with the effects that words have on people. So many young men and women, created beautifully in God's image, and for His glorious purpose, are unable to live in freedom and blossom because they are living under the verdict that someone else has issued over their lives. “You can't”, “you never will”, “you're too stupid”… It may have been a teacher, a parent, a leader, a friend, or even a stranger, but so often these words of death remain etched in our minds and become a declaration of death over our lives. Very often, the speakers of these words are not bad people, but their words, if allowed to take root, can alter the course of someone's life, causing them to live a less-thanglorious life; a life inferior to the one God intended for them.
This passage not only places an emphasis on the role of our tongue and the fact that we are created in God's likeness, but it also speaks about a fig tree and a grape vine, both plants that are grown from seeds. We cannot expect to sow one kind of seed with our lips, and reap a different kind of plant all together. Our verbal seeds will determine the plants that consequently grow.
Can you believe that in giving us the freedom of speech, God entrusted us with the ability to place others in the bondage of death? God literally gave us the power to pronounce a verdict over people's lives. It's hard to fathom why God would do such a thing, knowing my own weakness and inability to keep my mouth shut when I should. Having seen what a devastating effect a careless sentence can cause in a young person's life has brought the fear of God upon my own life. I shudder to think of my thoughtless utterances, in casual conversation, behind someone's back, and even in speaking with them face-to-face. Without being overdramatic, it is a sobering fact that a thought, impulsively expressed and promptly forgotten, may live on as an echo of failure whenever that person attempts something.
Death. On the contrary, I have also seen a pure and holy joy emulating from a person who has succeeded in something they were told they could
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
3
References 1. Compact Oxford English Dictionary at www.askoxford.com. Partial definition of 'Life'. 2. Compact Oxford English Dictionary at www.askoxford.com. Partial definition of 'Death'. 3. Compact Oxford English Dictionary at www.askoxford.com. Partial definition of 'Die'. 4. Proverbs 18:21 5. Genesis 1:3 6. Genesis 1:27 7. James 3:9-12 8. Ephesians 4:29 9. Proverbs 13:3 10. Psalm 141:3
This truth is two-fold. Firstly, it requires us to guard the words that we speak to others, and secondly, it requires us to filter the words that are spoken towards us. In his letter to the Ephesians8, Paul writes, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” As we dispense our daily quota of words, may we be governed by this command to affirm and encourage others, knowing, also, that our flippant words spoken in anger or frustration can sow a “little death” in another person's life, causing them to “stop living” out their giftings, or to become “less loud or strong” in their God-given purpose. Proverbs9 tells us, “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” I have acquired a practice of being more aware of the words that are spoken over me. I try to acknowledge and actively receive the positive words and encouragement that are spoken to me, and I've also developed a custom of “cutting off” negative words that are spoken over me (or others for that matter!). I know that my friends find it humorous when I start “cutting” words off (note my sheer skill at using humor as a tool with which I impart valuable life lessons!) but I believe that we will reap the result of words that we've allowed to take root in our spirits. While speaking comes as easily as breathing, the effects thereof are far more influential and powerful. Managing this truth starts with acknowledging the words that we speak and hear, and beginning to monitor them; receiving and sowing those that bring life; and withholding and discarding those that bring death. As with all areas of our Christian walk, speaking words of life is a lifestyle that we need to cultivate daily. May our speech be bathed in the prayer of the psalmist, “Lord, place a guard at my month, a sentry at the door of my lips10, so that the words I speak, may be words of life and truth.” God's Kingdom of Life has already won. Ours is a choice of whether or not our tongue will pledge to the winning team.
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
4
Timeless Words See how many speakers of the following well known quotes or slogans you know. Answers are on the bottom of the page...
1. You've got an uncle in the furniture business...
8. Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
9. I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
2. Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.�
3. I'll be back...
10. When ideas fail, words come in very handy.
11. To be or not to be.
4. My Mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get.’
5. Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.
6. Snap, Crackle, Pop
12. I am not young enough to know everything.
13. Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry. 14. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
15. All you need is love.
7. I have a dream!
1. Joshua Doore 2. C. S. Lewis 3. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 'Terminator' 4. Forest Gump 5. Henry Ford 6. Rice Crispies 7. Martin Luther King, Jr S. Lewis 9. Nelson Mandela 10. Goethe 11. William Shakespeare 12. Oscar Wilde 13. Bill Cosby 14. Nelson Mandela 15. John Lennon
8. C.
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
5
Designed by: Katy
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
6
Designed by: Louise
I've been challenged lately in my conversations with God. I chat to Him everyday wherever I am but I am talking specifically about the concentrated times I set aside for Him, like I would when going out for coffee with a friend or when I'm in a group setting with closed eyes and a bowed head. God is with me, all the time. Not one moment goes by when I am without Him. He's with me while I'm writing this article, as I'm thinking every thought. So whether or not I bow my head and close my eyes, recite a well known prayer, or read out aloud from one of the Psalms, it doesn't change the fact that He hears me and I hear Him and we can exchange words with each other. My challenge is the authenticity versus religiosity of these words. I am being challenged in the way that I speak to God when I'm alone and also when around others. How real am I with Him?
illumin8 - Edition 16 15 - April June 2010
The perfect example:
First time round:
“Oh Lord, I pray that you would give me an answer to this difficult decision I need to make. Thanks.” There's nothing specifically wrong with this, we all relate to God in a unique way. I am realising in my own life that I wouldn't really speak to a friend like this (alone or in a group setting) 'I pray oh friend that you would give me an answer…'
Second time round: “I really am having trouble with this decision I have to make about this job Lord! You know my heart, you know me right? What should I do about this situation that I'm in Lord? Please help me to make a wise decision, I really want it to be in line with what You want for me. How can I be a blessing to You in this Lord?” How do you speak to God when you're alone and when you're with others? Do you distance yourself from Him in the way that you relate to Him with your words? Or are they authentic? I know that as I am being challenged in being real with God, I'm growing closer to Him and hearing Him on a whole new level than when I was just praying the 'right' things. Think about your words, how you speak to God in different settings and why. May your conversations with Him grow and flourish with authenticity and may you experience a closeness with Him that surprises even you!
2 7
Designed by: Leanne
Designed by: Leanne Rhodes
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
8
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
9
Designed by: Riaan
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
10
By Scott Ferreira Prayer seems to the bystander to be a pointless exercise, and has been this to me at times. Often after being in our typical crouched down, elbows on knees and head bowed position in prayer, we have nothing to show for it except maybe a sore neck from nodding off every 5 minutes!
We see these problems and begin to pray from an up-down perspective, in other words from an elevated position of bringing justice on to those who so badly need it. 'Let God bring our leaders to their knees.' 'May everything wrong they have done come back to them 100 fold.' 'Expose all the sin and show them your wrath.' And so the list goes on. We As meaningless and simplistic it may sometimes pray from the perspective of us coming to make it seem, we do know that this is not the case! right, us pointing out the wrongs of others to God Prayers from all walks of life will attest to the fact (like He doesn't already know), and us bringing that, without a doubt, it is the thing that has justice where it is so needed because obviously completely transformed countless situations that nothing else is doing the trick. By doing this, I have been prayed into. Moses, Paul, even Jesus honestly think we are Himself, prayed continuously. As if it all depended We see completely missing the mark on it, a matter of life and death. as our prayers fuel our selfthese centeredness and limited Most of us do know (to some degree or another) problems perspective of the world the value of prayer and this article is not to prove instead of tapping into the the importance of it, but rather to show where I and begin way God sees it, which is the think we have missed the boat when it comes to to pray from real purpose of prayer. praying into certain situations. In an interesting discussion with a few rather obscure Anglican characters in this past week, it became evident again how twisted our prayers have become. Take South Africa for example, where the picture is clear; we are messed up! If we are looking for failures, whether in government, society as a whole, or ourselves, they are easy to come by. illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
11
an up-down perspecive
Maybe it's time that, as Christians we stop doing the easy thing of pointing out everyone else's faults. The way we view the world is of paramount importance and seeing things from a simplistic judgmental stance is us looking at the world through our own foggy glasses and not the telescope that God promises! Designed by: Katy
How about this; instead of praying for STOP we pray for GO. Instead of praying AGAINST we pray FOR. Pray BLESSINGS instead of CURSES, and LOVE instead of HATE. Pray for our leaders the way you imagine the Lord sees them, and then watch as miracle unfolds; we actually do start to see them from a new, glorified perspective and when this happens, there is no doubt that change is just around the corner!
How about this; instead of praying for STOP we pray for GO. Instead of praying AGAINST we pray FOR. Pray BLESSINGS instead of CURSES, and LOVE instead A picture does paint a thousand words, and the picture of South of HATE.
I am in no way trying to underplay the problems that we have or the seriousness of the situation, but maybe it's time to be painting God's picture with our words instead of colouring in the one staring us down.
Africa is clear for most to see. Thousands and thousands of words can be used to describe where we are and by how much we have missed the mark. As blatant as the current picture may seem, I do believe that words of prayer, inspired by God can begin to paint a completely different picture, the right picture! It will be painted the way He sees our country, and that makes all the difference.
I do believe that words of prayer, inspired by God can begin to paint a completely different As we prayer, picture... picture
begin, through to sketch the God has placed inside each of us, He Himself begins to colour it in and in doing so, shape and mould us into the picture we were always meant to be.
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
12
8 (plus 3) interesting facts about the Soccer World Cup 1 Brazil has won the Soccer World Cup a record five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. 2 Brazil's PelĂŠ is the only player to have won three Soccer World Cup By Colin Rip Winners' medals. 3 The highest attendance at a Soccer World Cup match was 199,854 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janerio for the 1950 decider between Uruguay and Brazil. 4 Cameroon's Roger Milla is the oldest player to have played in the Soccer World Cup. He was 42 years and 39 days old when he played his last match against Russia in 1994. Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside is the youngest ever player to participate in a final, being just 17 years and 41 days when he took the field against Yugoslavia in 1982. 5 The only person to have played both World Cup Football and World Cup Cricket is Viv Richards. He played for Antigua at football and the West Indies at cricket. 6 The most common surname of Soccer World Cup players is Gonzalez or Gonzales. 7 The most common score in a Soccer World Cup final is 1-0. 8 Shirt swapping was once officially prohibited in 1986 because FIFA did not want players to 'bare their chests' on the field. 9 No European team has won a Soccer World Cup played outside of Europe. 10 Five teams have been unbeaten but were not the champions in the same tournament. Those unbeaten teams are: Scotland in 1974 (1 win, 2 draws), Brazil in 1978 (4 wins, 3 draws), England in 1982 (3 wins, 2 draws), Cameroon in 1982 (3 draws) and Belgium in 1998 (3 draws). 11 Who says there is no such thing as home-ground advantage? Out of the 19 Soccer World Cups so far, 6 have been won by the host country. Go BAFANA! Source: www.topendsports.com
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
13
Designed by: Wanja
Dear Readers The Soccer World Cup is at our door and we are about to play our part in the world's biggest sporting event. Now some of you might be thinking that I'm wrong and that the Olympics is the biggest sporting event. Well in 2006 an estimated 2.2 billion people tuned in to watch the final of the World Cup and it is estimated that the figure might reach 3 billion this time round. The Olympics had 4 billion viewers overall but if you count a viewer every time he tunes in, then the World Cup has 26 billion viewers. That is the equivalent of every person on the planet watching 4 games of the tournament. So there is a lot of interest worldwide!
Sport can unite people. Sport can build up nations. Your belief can lift your team and your team can lift your belief. Sport can gather people from every walk of life and language and allow them to share a common goal or ideal. Is there anything else that has such power over men? Yes, God and our faith in Him. Faith can unite people, build up our nations. Our belief in God can raise Him up and God can inspire our belief. Anyone can play on God's team, regardless of their background. I have recently had a real experience of how God can use sport to show us how to live our lives. In the beginning of the soccer season I joined the St Wilfrid's Warriors soccer team which plays in the Pretoria church league. It has been an awesome experience. Before every game the players gather in the middle of the field and pray. The game itself is no less hard fought than normal and players tackle with gusto. The difference comes in when tempers begin to flair which is inevitable in any soccer match. A bad tackle or an offside call by the ref incites the players. Normally multiple swear words and descriptions of player's mothers would fly around the field!
ip
lin o C y
B
'H
ck' R i r t t a
However, the guys representing their churches constantly remind each other that the game should be played in a good spirit, namely the Holy Spirit. It is really amazing to watch guys who have lost their cool, walk up to an opponent and apologize. Now what I have said may seem to be a really small thing but it is not. It is an example of normal guys who normally behave in a certain manner changing their attitude. It is a microcosm of our normal lives. If we bring God into our lives then even though we will still be faced with the same situations, we will be able to handle them better. We exchange words with each other every day and I am sure we will see the professional soccer players mouthing various things in the weeks to come. We have a chance in every interaction with someone else to choose our words wisely, and with God's help we can do just that. So during the World Cup, let's allow God to take part and our words to be those of support and welcome. Let's get into the Spirit of things!
illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
14
Designed by: Leanne
One of the most common ways we connect with God is through the words we pray. Below we have two prayers1. We hope they will inspire your words as you reach out to God this month.
HEAVENLY FATHER,
We say this prayer trusting in the promise of Your Word, that if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.
with a humble heart and a thankful spirit we approach You in prayer.We thank You for our country, our Constitution, and our military and political leaders. We pray for the President and for every elected and appointed official who serves this country. We pray that You will give them the wisdom and the courage to uphold a Constitution which establishes a republic based on Your absolute laws, not a democracy based on the changing whims of man's reasoning.
We pray that You will rebuke Satan, the father of lies, for the deception of his lie that mankind can be "as gods" in deciding for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.
We pray that our leaders will study, understand, and follow the principles of Your Word, the Bible. May they realize that all authority comes from You, not the voters, and that one day they will stand before You to give an account of the power You have given to them.
We pray for the leaders in Your church. Bless the shepherds as they look out for themselves and the flock. Bless the deacons, teachers, and evangelists' to serve with patience and love. Bless each member to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please strengthen our leaders through Your Word to cast down every law, policy, and personal example which weakens marriages, families, or Your moral standards.
Father, may You continue to be glorified in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, and in the world without end.
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, you know exactly how much we need you right now. Please let the leaders of our country act under your influence. We ask that you will hold your hand over us and our country. And bring relief from the crime and other difficulties we are experiencing. We are proud and privileged to live in this beautiful country. Look after us and bring us peace and prosperity.
Amen
1. Sources are unknown illumin8 - Edition 16 - June 2010
15
Designed by: Leanne
*
Terms & Conditions of submitting content
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer
Your privacy is important to Illumin8. This privacy statement provides information about the personal information that Illumin8 collects, and the ways in which Illumin8 uses that personal information.
Your use of our ezine is subject to the terms set out by this disclaimer. We may modify these Terms at any time without notice to you by posting revised Terms on our sites. Your use of our sites constitutes your binding acceptance of these Terms, including any modifications that we make.
Personal information collection
When submitting content you agree to:
Illumin8 may collect and use the following kinds of personal information: Information (that you provide for the purpose of subscribing to the Illumin8 e-zine)
Presenting information that is truthful, original and accurate
Using personal information Illumin8 may use your personal information to:
Provide your real name and contact information so that the editors can contact you if your submission is selected to appear in an edition. Thereafter, you may request that names used be changed for anonymity if this would protect the parties concerned. Sign a document stating that all the content is self generated and where other's ideas, writing, images or suggestions are used, that a reference to them is made. On submitting the content to be included in a future issue of Illumin8 you understand that: The articles you submit may not necessarily be used. The editors reserve the right to include content submitted based on their own discretion and the needs of the ezine. Illumin8 has the right to edit your language use, grammar, spelling and length of the articles but without altering your message and will be sent back to you for final approval.
? Send you the e-zine subscribed to ? Send you promotions regarding up-coming issues not exceeding 3 a month Where Illumin8 will not disclose your personal information to agents or subcontractors or any other third party unless permission is acquired from the individual in writing. In addition to the disclosures reasonably necessary for the purposes identified elsewhere above, Illumin8 may disclose your personal information to the extent that it is required to do so by law, in connection with any legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings, and in order to establish, exercise or defend its legal rights. Securing of your data Illumin8 will take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information. Illumin8 will store all the personal information you provide in a private address book. Cross-border data transfers Information that Illumin8 collects may be stored and processed in and transferred between any of the countries in which Illumin8 operates to enable the use of the information in accordance with this privacy policy. Updating this statement Illumin8 may update this privacy policy by posting a new version on its emails. You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are familiar with any changes. Other websites This e-zine contains links to other websites. Illumin8 is not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of any third party. Contact Illumin8 If you have any questions about this privacy policy or Illumin8's treatment of your personal information, please write to: ? by email to illumin8ezine@gmail.com This privacy statement This privacy statement is based on an original template created by websitecontracts.co.uk and distributed by freenetlaw.com.
Content Our e-zine includes a combination of content that we create, that our partners create and that our readers create. You may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display or in any way exploit any of the materials or content in whole or in part. If you would like to request permission to use any of the content in our ezine please email us at illumin8ezine@gmail com. No warranties This ezine is provided “as is� without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Illumin8 makes no representations or warranties in relation to this ezine or the information and materials provided in this ezine. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, Illumin8 does not warrant that: this ezine will be constantly available, or available at all; or nothing on this ezine constitutes, or is meant to constitute, advice of any kind. If you require advice in relation to any [legal, financial or medical] matter you should consult an appropriate professional. Limitations of liability Illumin8 will not be liable to you (whether under the law of contact, the law of torts or otherwise) in relation to the contents of, or use of, or otherwise in connection with, this e-zine: ? to the extent that the ezine is provided free-of-charge, for any direct loss; ? for any indirect, special or consequential loss; or ? for any business losses, loss of revenue, income, profits or anticipated savings, loss of contracts or business relationships, loss of reputation or goodwill, or loss or corruption of information or data. These limitations of liability apply even if Illumin8 has been expressly advised of the potential loss. Exceptions Nothing in this ezine disclaimer will exclude or limit any warranty implied by law that it would be unlawful to exclude or limit; and nothing in this ezine disclaimer will exclude or limit Illumin8 liability in respect of any: ? death or personal injury caused by Illumin8 negligence; ? fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation on the part of Illumin8; or ? matter which it would be illegal or unlawful for Illumin8 to exclude or limit, or to attempt or purport to exclude or limit, its liability. Reasonableness By using this ezine, you agree that the exclusions and limitations of liability set out in this ezine disclaimer are reasonable. If you do not think they are reasonable, you must not use this ezine. Other parties You accept that, as a limited liability entity, Illumin8 has an interest in limiting the personal liability of its officers and employees. You agree that you will not bring any claim personally against Illumin8 officers or employees in respect of any losses you suffer in connection with the ezine. Unenforceable provisions If any provision of this ezine disclaimer is, or is found to be, unenforceable under applicable law, that will not affect the enforceability of the other provisions of this ezine disclaimer. This ezine disclaimer This ezine disclaimer is based on an original template created by websitecontracts.co.uk and distributed by freenetlaw.com