The Eight O’Clock
News May 2018
Ex Libris A few weeks ago I decided to have a culling session with my library. I knew that I would have to devote several hours to this exercise as like times before I would be waylaid by memories. My thoughts would be filled with the person who gave me the book, the spot where I’d read it for the first time or the fact that the book sits on the shelf and is not yet read—and I’d start reading. In order to read more and acquire more books, space has to be made but it’s so very hard to choose which books to send away, which to extend their lives and say as Chaucer said at the end of Troilus and Criseyde, ‘Go, litel book!’ For me a ‘home without books is like a tree without birds’ and ‘a home without a dog is just a house’. Would if I could also collect dogs like I collect books! After the culling session, two shelves were laid bare and wait in anticipation for the new occupants. Some years ago, I read a wonderful essay in Time Magazine entitled, ‘Would you mind if I borrowed this book?’ It is erudite, witty and somewhat true, describing the dread a booklover may feel on lending a book never to see it returned despite placing an Ex Libris sticker in the inside cover. Booklovers may also wonder what people may think of them on scanning their bookcases. What do their choices reveal about themselves? Roger Rosenblatt in the Time essay wrote, ‘Our books are ourselves, our characters, our insulation against those very people who would take away our books. There on that wall, Ahab storms. Hamlet mulls. Molly Bloom says yes, yes, yes. Keats looks into Chapman, who looks at Homer, who looks at Keats. All this happens on a bookshelf continually—while you are out walking the dog, or pouting or asleep. The Punic wars rage; Emma Bovary pines; Bacon exhorts others to behave the way he never could. Here French is spoken. There Freud. So go war and peace, pride and prejudice, decline and fall, perpetually in motions as sweeping as Milton’s or as slight as Emily Dickenson—considering the grass. Every evening Gatsby looks at Daisy’s green light, which is green forever. Every morning Gregor Samsa discovers that he has been transformed into a giant May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
8 am Service, Christ Church, Kenilworth 021-797-6332
insect’. So little time, so many books people have said and the Bible itself is a Book of many books that I must confess I have not read from cover to cover. Therefore, I can highly recommend, the App suggested by Ev, BiOY—the Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel. James Bryce said, ‘The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it’ and for me one of the most transformative books is Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. He says in Book 1 that his purpose in the writing was ‘to justify the ways of God to men’. When I studied this masterpiece many years ago it provided a very real link in my further reading and exploration of the Bible and I came to know the following to be true: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) So is the Bible just another book? Not so, according to Mahatma Gandhi. ‘You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.’ - Cheryl Anderson
HAPPY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY To
Sally Palmer (2/5) ‘... For whoever touches you touches the apple of God’s eye ... ‘ Zechariah 2:8
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A Subject Close To My Heart On the walls of my childhood home were two large
framed texts—I knew from babyhood that God is Love and that I was Kept by the Power of God. From my earliest days my life has been surrounded by Bible stories, Bible teaching and Bible studies. The Bible has undergirded my life: it has comforted, guided, inspired and challenged me daily. It has taught me—and is still teaching me—how to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. It was in my teenage years that head knowledge became heart knowledge, and I was introduced to a system of daily Bible reading which I still use today. In recent years it has been my privilege and joy to be part of the editing team which produces the annual Closer to God daily Bible readings. Does ‘biblical language’ hinder you from making the effort to read the Bible? Why not choose an up-to-date translation like The New Living Bible, or The Message. The freshness of the words can bring new light. Just the other day I came across this: Be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other and always do your best to bring it out. How’s that for a new look at Do not render evil for evil? (1 Thessalonians 5:15) May I encourage you to read—daily, systematically, prayerfully? Bible reading, coupled with prayer, is our two-way communication with God Himself! What could be more of a privilege! [My 80th birthday was on March 12th, but the family couldn’t gather till April so we had a great jamboree at our son’s home in Noordhoek on April 7th—all 18 of us—the first time in many years. Top photograph was taken on March 12 with youngest daughter, Kathy, on hand from Pietermaritzburg to enjoy the day with her parents. Bottom photograph: In age order—Jessica, Aidan, Benjamin, Daniel, Tammy, Emily, Jenna and Amy taken in April.]
David’s Dedication Rob and I were thrilled to be with our son and daughter-in-law,
Paul and Burn, as they gave thanks for the gift of their son, David Dumisani Taylor, in a service of Dedication on 15th April. As Burn held little David, almost five months old now, in front of the church,
PS: Ev, I have just listened to your sermon---thank you. What a lot of wonderful material you packed into 25 minutes! One comment of yours that I thought was so telling was, We are only able to support our beliefs by the Scriptures. What better reason to ‘Search the Scriptures’? And then the additional prompt that, We need to understand the Scriptures through the lens of Christ’s life— because He is the Way---not one of the ways. I have recently undertaken some studies through The South African Theological Seminary and am revelling in the fresh incentives to dig deeply into the Scriptures. I trust that you have managed to get some other people to give their ‘Bible testimonies’ too—to prompt some people to open up their Bibles in a more consistent way. - Barbara Fish and Paul prayed a blessing over him, David gazed around until he found his Grandpa Rob in the second row and fixed his eyes on him! As part of his prayer, Paul prayed, ‘David, I speak this blessing over you: Our prayer is that you fall in love with the One who is truly good, and heroically strong and eternally kind, Jesus our Lord, the King of kings, Prince of Peace. As you fall in love with Him and follow Him, may you allow Him to make you more like His heart, His good, strong, kind heart. If you do, you will run your race, claim your prize, fight for peace and live in freedom. …’ What a joy to see the baton being passed to another generation!
May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
- Sue Taylor
Scripture & the Authority of God In her sermon on Sunday 15 April (Nothing More, Nothing Less and Nothing Else) Ev Els raised the question of the place of the Bible in our lives. In the three parishes where Lynne (my wife) and I have served I have had the privilege of preaching and teaching the scriptures. In St John’s Parish we have received an emphasis on the Bible as ‘the inspired Word of God’, for which I am grateful. The Bible has always been central to the life of the Christian Church. Jesus Himself was profoundly shaped by the scriptures He knew, what we call the Old Testament. By the early second century many of the early Christian writings were being collected and were themselves treated with reverence and given a similar status to the original Israelite scriptures. By the end of the second century some of the greatest Christian minds were making the study and exposition of scripture a major part of their work in pursuing the mission of the church. All the churches that stem from the Reformation in the 16th century emphasize the importance of the Bible. The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches give a more complex account of how scripture operates in the life of the church. From the very beginning scripture has been given a key place in the church’s worshipping life. The Bible continues to be both a central way in which God addresses His people and a central way in which His people respond. Reading and studying scripture is of vital importance if we are to grow in the love of God. In particular, the role of the Bible within the church and the individual Christian life indicates three important things: 1) God is a God who communicates with human beings in words. 2) The purpose of this communication is to enable us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, enabling us to think and act in new ways. 3) God invites us in scripture to participate with Him in
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the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven through the power of the Holy Spirit. Prof Tom Wright in his book, Scripture and the Authority of God, which I have used as a title, suggests that we should understand God’s authority as operating to bring about the coming of the Kingdom of God. This is important because the Bible has been misread by so many who have claimed to take it seriously. Here are some examples: * Support for the institution of slavery; * Support for apartheid in our country; * The prosperity gospel—If you believe in Jesus you will be wealthy; * The Bible has nothing to say about politics; * Ongoing division in the church, each succeeding church claiming to have the correct reading of scripture; and * Limiting the role of women within the life of the church. John Stott emphasizes a double approach to Scripture. Because it is the Word of God, we must read it on our knees, in a humble, prayerful, and submissive frame of mind. But because it is also the word of human beings (or the Word of God through human beings), we must read it as we would read every other book—thoughtfully and in a critical frame of mind. In other words, we need to take into account the type of literature we are reading, the context in which the author was writing, the context of his readers and our own context in which we read the Bible. This means that the use of commentaries and Bible reading resources is important for all of us. Perhaps our greatest need is that of humility. We dare not assume that our understanding of the Bible is always the right one. It is within the life of the church that we are able to wrestle with the way in which God is speaking to us through the Scriptures. - Mike Keggie
Joy & Cantor Mocke & family live in Maidstone, Kent, UK. Below: Carl & Freya on World Book Day, dressed as Prof
Dumbledore and Matilda.
Above: Lynne & Mike with daughter, Joy, grandson, Carl and granddaughter, Freya visiting Eltham Palace in 2017. May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
Above: Ariella & Levi, granddaughter & grandson, live in Tokai with parents Nancy & Andrew Keggie.
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Barbara Richardson We came to Christ Church in 1987 with our 18-month little girl,
and Brian and I immediately signed up to be on the crèche roster. It was there, sitting around the sandpit, that firm and lasting friendships were formed with other parents, while our offspring threw sand around and occasionally bit each other! So my time with Children at CCK really started nearly 30 years ago. When my daughter was three, Christine Tyler, who was in charge of Children’s ministry at the time, asked me if I would co-ordinate a programme for the three-year-olds. When my second child turned three, I was asked again, and this time, with other keen parents, the Stepping Stones group was born in the building now used for the Crèche. I co-ordinated that group for five years until approached to take over from Ingrid Wheeler in co-ordinating Children’s ministry at CCK. After saying ‘no’ a number of times, God gently but forcefully worked in me until I was ready to say ‘yes’ at the end of 1998. Some songs and scripture spoke to me then and still speak today, such as Psalm 145:4: One generation will commend your works to another… and Psalm 78:3,4: … Things we have heard and known... We will not hide them from their children: we will tell the next generation... And they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God. My first assignment in October 1998 was to be the assistant cook at the Children’s church camp, with Jean Welsh being chief cook. Halfway through 1999, I realised that the job was too big for one person working 10 hours a week, so at the beginning of 2000, Hilary Kerr joined me. This was the start of a wonderful partnership over 15 years, slowly increasing our hours to 20 each. In 2012, Matt (Bushy) Ash joined us to take over camps, Holiday club and schools’ ministry. From the beginning, I was aware that I needed a team of talented, committed people around me. And that is the way I believe things should be—many people working together, each using their gifts and abilities to complement each other and do something beautiful for God. Wonderful teams of volunteers—in the crèche, Stepping Stones, Noah’s Ark and the grade 1-7 Children’s Church. Some served for a year or two, others stayed and formed part of the core team. Many amazing individuals who played alongside each other as toddlers in the crèche, growing up, going through children’s church, and then Ambies, camps, becoming a group of friends… then coming back to be young leaders at Children’s Church or Ambies when they left school. They stayed involved throughout their varsity years, and some even beyond. They came back to serve, to give back for what they had received. Some have now come back with their own children. I have valued the sense of team as we meet early on a Sunday morning to check in with each other, to share our needs and problems and pray for each other before being fully present to the children. Then at the end of the morning, over a cup of tea or coffee, debriefing, sharing our joys or frustrations, learning from our mistakes and preparing for the next Sunday. Those meetings were also a feature of the many camps between 1998 and 2014. Meeting to pray together at the crack of dawn, before the programme started for the children. We had to be careful not to keep our eyes closed for too long in case people nodded off! Then late night meetings after the children were supposedly in bed, to review the day and plan for the next. It was amazing how much funnier things became the more tired we were! More memories of camps—themes, lively worship, creative talks and dramas, and the benefit of having all day with the children, not May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
being limited to an hour on Sunday morning, times of discussion and prayer at bedtime, the sense of growing relationship with God and with each other. One young adult coming back to serve as a leader said that she first learnt to hear God at a Children’s Church Camp. Then the games and sports, and beach activities, the Murder Mystery games (like live Cluedo), where the children were the detectives and the leaders the suspects. So much fun and laughter. I derived huge pleasure from seeing children having fun, and realising that the leaders may have been having more fun! Many memories of vibrant times of worship, thanks to talented people like Patrick Cordery, Jonathan Webb, Jon Kerr, Jessica Miller, David Watkyns, James Watkyns, Kate Hofmeyr… It has also been wonderful to see the Crib service become a tradition—since 1999 always with a ‘real’ Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. Those who were Baby Jesus went on to be a shepherd, a wise person, an Inn Keeper… or a narrator, reader, singer or tender of younger shepherds. Our first baby Jesus is now 19 years old! There is value in the simple, reverent retelling of this momentous event of God becoming man. Letting children re-enact it enables them to become part of God’s story. Space doesn’t allow all the names of all the people, all the memories, all the lessons learnt, the tears, mistakes and frustrations and the richness of being part of the spiritual formation of children as they mature, and the spiritual growth of teams as they serve God together in this vital ministry. Over the years, there have been so many that I fear I will leave someone out, but some stand out—Hilary and Jon Kerr, of course, as a team, and sometimes their whole family at camps! Mary Lister, (who doesn’t do camps) has served as long as I have; Blaise Thomson, Allan Versfeld—from way back in 2000— who stayed for their whole varsity career, often teasing me mercilessly! Sharon Davis, Colin and Penelope Engel, Helen and Alphonso Malgas, Scott Fraser, Pat Lennox, Kenneth Crombie. In 2004, Lauren Bates and Guy Axleson joined the team, as well as Jonathan Webb, who is still serving faithfully. I watched romances develop, and attended weddings of couples whose friendship grew while serving together at Children’s Church. I have kept lists of each team over the years and wish I could mention each name! It has been such a privilege and joy to be part of this work. May God be glorified and richly bless those who continue to help a new generation to know that they are loved by God and to love and know God and His word.
- Barbara Richardson
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Gideons’ Bibles International In my travels over the last 46 years I continue to be pleasantly surprised, on arrival in a hotel room, to open the bedside drawer to find a Gideons Bible. Mostly I travel with my own Bible, yet on discovering the Gideons it is my preference to open it and enjoy reading from it as well as using the indexed prompts. Gideons International is an evangelical Christian association founded 1899 in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The Gideons' primary activity is distributing copies of the Bible free of charge. This Bible distribution is a global enterprise taking place in 200 countries, territories and possessions. The association's members focus on distributing complete Bibles, New Testaments, or portions thereof. These copies are printed in over 100 languages. The association is most widely known for its Scriptures placed in hotel and motel rooms. The Gideons also distribute to hospitals and other medical offices, schools and colleges as well as jails and prisons. The association takes its name from the Biblical figure Gideon, depicted in Judges 6. (Extracted from Wikepedia) On a trip to George, staying in a B&B, I found this refreshing description of the Bible in one such book provided, and I thought it appropriate to share this: ‘The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of
Lynne Pedersen & David Beyer After I had worked 11 years as a lay pastor at CCK
I went for two years training at the Anglican seminary in Grahamstown. I was ordained as deacon at St Martin’s where I worked for the next 10 years. David Beyer has assisted at St Martin’s Bergvliet as a self-supporting priest for the past 22 years, while his other career till retiring was in structural engineering. Midway through my time at St Martin’s, David and I were given the responsibility to run the parish during a 22-month interregnum. We got to know each other more in that time. During that time, and after I left the parish David, Jean and I had lunches together occasionally to keep in touch. Jean who was a quilting queen, together with two other women in the parish made me a beautiful quilt for my 60th birthday. During my tenure as the chaplain to Red Cross Hospital, I also got to know their daughter, Colleen, as she was the parish secretary of St Peter’s Mowbray where I attended in that time. The rector of Christ Church Constantia, Terry Lester, was her husband. She had lived with the challenge of cancer for 22 years, and last October she died of renal failure from all the chemotherapy. I was overseas at the time and wrote to them my condolences. They wrote back saying that when I returned we should have a lunch together again, and they would fill me in on her last days and the funeral etc. Sadly this lunch did not happen in time as Jean died unexpectedly just May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is a traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is the grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.’ What a testament, what an invitation, what an opportunity for one lost in their loneliness in a hotel, or hospital or even prison. Praise the Lord for such a Mission. - Dennis Henwood
two months after her daughter. I was let know by a staff member of St Martin’s within an hour or two of her death, and went round later to be supportive to the family. David and I, a month later, finally had that lunch date in honour now not only of Colleen but also Jean. After a few more months of occasionally meeting we recognized that we were really happy in each other’s company. We had known each other well, for over 16 years. Around Easter time another level of this friendship needed to be acknowledged. I was concerned about it being too soon. I understand and do not want the grief process short-circuited. We agreed to wait till the 6-month point before taking more steps. However, David confided in his two sons and his son-in-law. While it is hard, and is ‘too soon,’ in principle they were happy for him. We have been seeking to hold together the grief and shock, and the surprise and delight. Thus it became easier for me to tell some close friends. And then things snow-balled rather! And we set a marriage date for after the six months. And the announcements began. Bishop Eric will be marrying us on 14 July—at CCK. It is an open invitation to all. Join us—bring a plate of eats or a bottle!. - Lynne Pedersen
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Veronica Mellows’ Grand-Triplets Identical twins, Victoria and Tatiana and
singleton, Olivia, Cresswell-Turner were born in Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London in 2002. Victoria and Tatiana weighed 1.1kg and Olivia 1.6kg when Jann was 31 weeks’ pregnant. They all fitted into ONE incubator and were in ICU and high care for eight weeks in total. They are now 15, turning 16 on 26 August and live in Kenilworth with parents Jann and Alex. They are all sporty—Victoria and Tatiana are mad about hockey and tennis and all of them love going to the gym. They are very friendly and outgoing girls and they get on extremely well with each other. They are at Herschel, which has been an amazing school for them. They are all very different and have different friends, but they mostly go to the same ‘gatherings’ together with friends from Bishops, Wynberg and other girls’ schools. They are so loving towards us and we all adore spending time together which means so much to us. They are very open and honest and they have a very loving home life, with wonderful parents. God is amazing—blessing Jann and Alex with three perfectly healthy daughters who are a blessing to all of us. - Veronica Mellows
Toddlers & Teenagers L>R Olivia, Victoria, Tatiana [Jann and the triplets were on the prayer shield in 2002 and God honoured those prayers—thank you to all who prayed]
John D’Arcy Evans being thanked for his years of service to the choir at a breakfast after an 8 am service
Beach Mission
We decided to tell the parable of the wise and foolish builders. I suppose in the original, the hearers were supposed to imagine two identical houses built on different foundations. We lacked the ability to do that so decided to change the idea slightly by having a house of sand and a house of rocks (bricks) from which we could draw the same conclusions. Easy. I told the story while behind me, two of the team prepared the illustrations. Mistake one was to ask a man with very large hands to build the sandcastle, so by the time I had finished the May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
introduction the pile of sand was very large, dwarfing the 12 bricks that had built a tower. Mistake two was to ask a young lady who had aspirations as a Thespian to play the part of the rains. Armed with a five-gallon galvanised iron bucket of water she entered left. Deciding to be a whirlwind she spun around, the bucket swinging out and collecting the brick tower which was scattered far and wide. Distracted by this, her aim went awry and she hurled the water mainly past the sandcastle leaving me with no house of rock and a damp but largely undamaged house of sand. I suppose I must have used a phrase which I have often had to implement in my 51 years as a science teacher, viz. What was supposed to happen... - Peter Broster
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Pentecost It will be Pentecost Sunday on 20 May, a really special day when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and other followers of Jesus. It must have been an awesome experience for them. I pray we will be very aware of the Presence of the Holy Spirit in a special way on that day. He dwells in us, I know, but I am hoping and praying we will experience Him in a new way and be refreshed and sparked anew. - Wendy Gunn
O God, life-giving Spirit, Spirit of healing and comfort, of integrity and truth, we believe and trust in You. Warm-winged Spirit, brooding over creation, rushing wind and Pentecostal fire, we commit ourselves to work with You and renew our world. – Janet Morley
Holy Spirit, Giver of light and life, impart to us thoughts higher than our own thoughts, prayers better than our own prayers, and powers beyond our own powers, that we may spend and be spent in the ways of love and goodness, after the perfect image of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. - Eric Milner
Lord, let my life be a space in which You can work in the world. Clear away my inner rubbish, and fill me with Your Spirit of healing, delight and peace, so that everything I do may be the fruit of your life in me. – Angela Ashwin
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
60th Wedding Anniversary Congratulations to Jennifer & Peter Taylor Married 3 May, 1958 I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Apolima Strait 2018 Champion Bronwyn Copeland, daughter
of Judy and Chris Jenkins, entered the swimming race from Samoa to the next island (24 kms) and came first in 7½ hours. Her family (husband and two daughters) were in the boat rowing next to her but the sea was so choppy that they were all extremely sea-sick. Bronwyn received a medal and a bowl and had a write-up in the local newspaper. Chris and Judy are very chuffed!! Well done, Bronwyn ! May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
Praying Scripture From the early days of my
Christian walk, I struggled to understand what verses of the Bible meant. In order to understand the scriptures, I would break down the verse into phrases and try to record them in my own words. I also found the cross references and commentaries on the scripture very helpful in gaining a better understanding of their context and meaning. When I could understand the meaning and purpose, I discovered they spoke to my spirit and gave me an understanding of how much God desires that we know Him as a loving and concerned father. Part of my daily routine has been to set aside time to pray about the day and the events in our society. As I struggle to stay focussed for any length of time, a written record of my thoughts, concerns and prayers is made. A record is also kept of the scriptures which are read at the time. During this routine, I try and imagine what God, or Christ or the Holy Spirit is trying to say. It may be a word, a phrase or a verse of scripture. These thoughts often come randomly but by recording the thought, further ideas develop. Looking over the diary and comparing these thoughts and prayers with the verses of scripture, they became what I assume as a record of ‘conversations’ between myself and one of the Persons of the Trinity. The best time for these periods of contemplation is before the day starts, about 05h30. During the day, while reflecting on the morning’s thought process, further ideas crystallise and are a motivation to get up the next day. Most of the compositions were written over several days. Helpful comments from friends were used in the editing process. I pray that in making these prayers your own, you may come to understand more of Father’s unwavering love for you personally. Purpose of the prayers: These prayers are in essence devotions of love and commitment, designed for use in private contemplation or in a public forum with friends. The prayers are based on Biblical promises, so if they resonate with you, they ideally should be read aloud. They may also be shared as an encouragement to friends or family. Concept used in composing these prayers: Luke records in his Gospel one of Christ’s last message to the disciples: These are my words that I spoke to you while I was with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-45). These prayers are an attempt to imagine how Christ interprets the Psalms in our daily context and experience, perhaps how Jesus would pray them today. The prayers may also be regarded as a commentary on the passages of scripture on which the prayers are based. In some of the prayers an attempt is made to reflect God’s concern for justice and those who have suffered from or continue to suffer from institutional injustice. Very often this institutional injustice was approved of by church leaders and accepted by the church without thinking of the consequences. The institutional injustice arising from the laws of colonial nations and Apartheid are a particular focus and thus reflect the need for restitution as a means to rectify the effect of past unjust laws and inequality. The composition could be used in personal devotions or in a study May 2018 Eight O’Clock News
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group. They are not a replacement for personally reading scripture. But do read the passages on which the prayer is based and ask the following questions as a guideline: * Who wrote the passage of scripture? * Why was it written? * What does the passage say about Christ? * If it is an Old Testament passage of scripture, what connection with New Testament scriptures could be implied? * How does the passage address current issues we face individually, as a church or the broader society?
- Mike Winfield [artilcle shortened] [IMike’s Psalms are available—ask him to put you on his emailing list]
Worship Jesus in Honour of His Ultimate Sacrifice.
Worship Jesus!
Sing to Jesus in response to each fresh expression of His love, worship Him in the assembly of faithful believers! Let all Kingdom seekers celebrate Christ’s example; let all who believe, delight in their Master! Let their lifestyle be an expression of worship, bringing joyous praise to all they encounter. Jesus delights in those who seek Him; He introduces the humble to the love of Father. Let the faithful bask in God’s unwavering love; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let them openly declare the mystery of Christ, as they apply the truths of God’s living and relevant word— praying God’s blessing and purpose for family, friends, neighbours and even enemies. God desires every person to know Him, to experience the truth of Christ’s love and sacrifice. Thus escaping the final judgement and banishment from His eternal presence! In honour of Christ’s ultimate and perfect sacrifice for all creation, Worship Jesus! - Mike Winfield, based on Psalm 149 Editorial Team Tel/e-mail Ev Els
021 696 0336
emichael@iafrica.com
Cheryl Anderson
083 272 1530
canderson@beckman.com