Spokesperson

My last wedding rehearsal was an unusual one in that it was the first time that a couple came to see me with a representative, or spokesperson -- who was a confident, articulate young Indian woman. She explained to me that they were too shy to speak to me. So I began with hardly any communication with the couple -- although they began to speak a little as the session wore on. They were an endearing couple.

Trimmer

Here's a post with a difference. People have asked me whether I have lost weight since Mirjam is gone. I have lost nearly 10 kg or 20 pounds. OBSERVATION: After I got married, the opposite was true -- which, apparently, it usually is.

Journal-Published

I received news today that I am to be journal-published for a second time in the field of theology. I am happy about this, as such writing has been a long-held ambition. My first theological paper was technical, the second is more meaningful to me than the first -- and it rests on the first. Maybe more in a future post. OBSERVATION: Apart from theology, I have been journal-published once in the field of gnomonics, and several times in the field of electronics (I can't remember how many times). Gnomonics is about sunshine and time. A gnomon is an indicator that casts a shadow.

Linux Stalls

I use two computers, and I use a Linux operating system on both (Fedora and Ubuntu). I am happy with Linux, and I would not change. By Christmas last year, though, Linux users should have exceeded one-third of the readers of my blog -- as things were going. This did not materialise. OBSERVATION: Why not? (see the image for the percentage of Linux users today -- you may click on it to enlarge). I think that Linux has been slow to deliver a few major applications in user-friendly form -- for example, speech recognition and computer security. I think that the release of a major update (Maverick) was a bit of a disaster. And I think that the Linux freebies in the stores have not been doing Linux a favour -- too often they have been defunct.

Daunting

I began a new term yesterday, at Fuller Theological Seminary. The first assignment gave me three days to read a 250-page book and respond to various issues. Phew, this looked daunting. However, I completed the whole lot in ninety minutes. OBSERVATION: At the beginning of our MA, they gave us a special seminar at Fuller on speed.

Fixated With Men

A recurring situation in counselling is the woman who is completely fixated with men. Together with this, she will lack almost all discernment when entering into new relationships with men, and will have little concept of the value of a covenant relationship. OBSERVATION: When a partner is devoted to the other with heart and soul, this is very special, yet not where it becomes all-consuming, to the exclusion of anything higher or broader in life. Such women are at high risk of a wasted life and emotional ruin. I think the young woman who recently gave her testimony at our Church Supper (see a recent post) put it so well: one may live life because of somebody else.

City's Steepest Street

There has been a debate in Cape Town for a long time as to which is the city's steepest street. This one has to be a strong contender -- Longmarket Street. This photo is taken from the cab of my Mahindra. OBSERVATION: I have heard it said that Bellevue Street is the steepest -- but I don't think so.

Evening Walks

This photo is typical of the walks I take in the evening -- usually on my own, sometimes with Church people. This is the path on top of Signal Hill -- at dusk. On the left is the famous Table Mountain, on the right Lion's Head. My home and Church are about 300m/yd beneath on the right, and Cape Town city centre about 300m/yd beneath on the left.

Church And Legal Action

A question that came up at our Church's Annual General Meeting today was whether our Church leadership, at this time, had taken or was taking legal action. There are four points here: 1. The answer is no. However, 2. we do ask attorneys for advice. This is prudent, considering the complexity of Church life today. 3. In principle, our leadership does not take legal action. However, 4. there are certain kinds of decision we take which, even so, have legal authority (in this particular case, a decision to deny access to our premises). That is, while it may not come from a lawyer, it is binding, and can (will) be enforced.

(In) Famous Quote

Here are four women our secretary snapped in our Church kitchen (three of them Church members). One of them -- I had better not say which! -- stood up at our Church Supper last night and said: "Equality is rubbish. Women are better!" OBSERVATION: There you have it! One might, however, suspect a teensy little bias, coming from a woman ...

Testimony Of Substance

T. (pictured) gave her testimony at our Church Supper tonight -- with some coaxing! She was a young woman who had "everything I ever wanted" -- yet it all proved to be built on sand -- then at her most hopeless and helpless point, "God took over". She said that she was "living life because of somebody else", but now she was living for Jesus her Saviour. This was a testimony of substance.

Aggressive Ministry

I had breakfast with a prominent minister this week. For all I know, he might read my blog! I admire him, and he has done much for the Kingdom of God, yet I consider that his style of ministry is too aggressive, too devil-may-care. It's typical of the South African style of ministry, which I think works in favour of a minister's survival more than, say, the typical US style. But then you get old like that, and you become like the old lion that just roars and gets mauled by the younger lions. It doesn't age well.

Precious Family

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This one's just a pretty picture. It's one of the most precious families in our Church. Why are they so precious? Because of their faith, their faithfulness, their gratitude, their gentleness, their supportiveness. I wish that all Christians had such qualities.

Wedding Rehearsal

Last night I conducted a wedding rehearsal in our Church -- in preparation for an outdoor wedding next week. Before a rehearsal like this, I fill in the legal forms with the couple (I am a Marriage Officer). These two have been dating for eleven years. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.

Fictions

If there is a conversation in a context which causes me some unease, I not seldom take notes -- either during or after. In this post, I'll list a few fictions which I jotted down like this. One person was concerned over my order to remove the Church chandeliers, another was dismayed about my decision to resign from the Church, another was angry over our resolution to use Church pews for firewood, and the very latest (last week) another claimed that I consulted an attorney over unauthorised expenditure ... all complete fictions. In fact, I have a list of fictions ten times as long. OBSERVATION: To this day, I fail to understand how such fictions arise. Do people actually devise them?

Cheerful Moment

It's fun to be a minister (sometimes)! At our (triple) baptism last Sunday, this young member suddenly stepped up to me -- and kept this pose perhaps for only half a second. I was surprised. Someone caught it on camera. Someone called out to her: "Are you also being baptised?" (because she was dressed all in white).

Most Popular Image

According to Google, this is the most popular image on my blog. There would be several candidates in my view, but ... this one deserves it. It is a note that someone wrote me -- yet didn't sign. Therefore I don't remember who it was. I commented when I first posted this that the word "unendurable" revealed a "core characteristic" of faith in our Church. You may click on the image to enlarge to VGA.

Order And Spontaneity

Our office informed me that "only fifteen people" had put their names down for a Church Supper this week, and bookings were due to close (on a good night, we might have four times as many there). I took a look at the bookings -- yet I could see immediately that there were several people missing from the list. A quick telephone call confirmed that it was a good many more. OBSERVATION: In a multi-cultural Church, one tends to have order on the one hand, spontaneity on the other. These strange bedfellows tend to meet at Church suppers!

"Fallen In A Heap"

During the time of Mirjam's final decline, a member called me and said: "How are you coping?" I said: "Under the circumstances, well thank you. But it's tough." He exclaimed: "That's not true! The minister has fallen in a heap! Fallen in a heap! Fallen in a heap!" I said: "I've kept going without skipping a beat as you know. I don't want to hear you repeat that." He put the phone down, and hurried to the Church office. He said: "The minister has fallen in a heap! Fallen in a heap!" (as best I know, there were two people in the office at the time). OBSERVATION: Even if the minister had fallen in a heap, which he hadn't, it wouldn't be cause for what appeared to be Schadenfreude or delectation.

English

English is the lingua franca in our Church -- yet it is a minority language among us, if one means the language of birth. It is interesting that the English I grew up with was a complex, nuanced English. One prided oneself in that -- then. The English that I now communicate with is, in the main, a very much simplified English. This has become second nature to me.

Sundays Off Preaching

Every six weeks, I am granted a break from the pulpit (I either focus on other work, or have a week off). Last Sunday was such a Sunday. I myself welcomed the congregation -- for the sake of continuity and a sense of security. Then M. (pictured), one of our members, led the service. I need hardly note that she looked stylish -- and she was accomplished. We had a guest preacher.

Bugged?

During November last year, our leadership held its scheduled monthly meeting. But afterwards, someone hostile to our leadership called me and quoted verbatim from the meeting. How was I to account for this? I really couldn't figure it out. I am adept at electronics, so I checked all the obvious bug-points in the room -- but found nothing. I trust our leadership -- suspicion falls on no one. OBSERVATION: I haven't given this incident any special attention, though. God works in all things for good, and I consider that He did in this case. We don't need to be overly concerned about such things.

Accident-Prone

Just last month I asked what it is with three-wheel pickups, that people keep bumping, scraping, and denting them. This week I received another bump (see photo -- in false colour here to highlight the injury). I'll just need to keep enough aerosol paint in stock to keep up with the damage! See also Gathering History.

Butterfly

I went walking in our Church garden this morning to gather my thoughts before the service. I spotted this butterfly ... or is it a a moth? I took this photo at about 5cm (two inch) distance, with my Leica. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.
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NOTE: A reader notes that this is a Zebra Blue butterfly -- belonging to the family of lycaenid or gossamer-winged butterflies.

Joyful Baptism

Today I conducted a triple baptism (see photo). Looking at the photos afterwards, I see that I clearly enjoyed the occasion. These are three fine young men whose faith has been exemplified in their faithfulness and Christian walk. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.

Filthy, Father

Last night I went to see a young wife and mother who attends our Church. She said: "I can't see you now, Father. Look, I am filthy [and she ran her hands over her body]. Tomorrow I want to buy washing powder, when my husband brings me the money. Please come tomorrow."

Unbloggable [2]

Here's one of the things that was unbloggable (see my recent post, Unbloggable). A few times, our Church has terminated people's membership for extraordinary reasons -- yet this week, for the first time in my ministry, our Church leadership decided to "deny access" to two churchgoers. This only happened after considerable mentation -- and much lies behind this post. OBSERVATION: We have, however, occasionally denied access to non-churchgoers -- for instance a man who threatened to "get" me, then brought a gun onto the premises (see Security Breach).

Snakes Alive

Last night I went walking in parkland near my home (called The Glen). I snapped this snake -- a large mole-snake, I think. No worries, it isn't poisonous, it only cuts you up like salami. OBSERVATION: I find God's creation amazing. How many things could a snake do to you? Bite. Spit. Squeeze. Whip you. And slice you up. The Lord thought of everything! (See also Snakes Alive).

Bounced Out

Last Sunday, I was to say the offertory prayer as I usually do, when a Sunday School teacher (in her words) took to "bouncing you out of your own programme". She just stepped up and did it. She e-mailed me: "I think it even shocked some of the [leadership] ... I am so very sorry." The explanation, I think, was this: she had been asked to say this prayer at a special service this coming Sunday, but she wasn't clear whether it was this coming Sunday or last. There was some giggling about it afterwards. I commented: "We know it is a funny Church, and our Sunday School teachers have special grace and favour."

My Inspiration

This man's vehicle was my inspiration -- to buy my own. Yesterday I met him in town (pictured). I asked him how his vehicle was running. He said: "I've had no trouble at all ... 16,000 kilometres" (10,000 miles). OBSERVATION: My old Bajaj four-stroke three-wheeler broke down on average every 2,000km (1,250mi), and my old Bajaj two-stroke three-wheeler broke down on average every 400km (250mi). I loved them even so.

Budgeting For A Deficit

I chaired a meeting tonight in which our treasurer presented our 2011-2012 budget. He concluded: "I have, however, budgeted for a R43,428 deficit" -- and he looked at us inquiringly. Our minutes secretary said musically: "That's your problem." I said: "Deal with it." OBSERVATION: We were joking. However, it does show a significant difference between Church finances and business finances. A businessman once commented that one wouldn't dream of budgeting for a deficit in business -- every cent has to come from somewhere. Yet in the Church, one reckons with the Lord's involvement. Last year, we budgeted for a similar deficit, yet ended the year with a R57,000 surplus.

Hamilton Depression Rating

There's depression that one can see, and then there's "clinical depression", which one may not see. Clinical depression may be more serious. A well known test is the Hamilton Depression Rating. Sometimes I use it with counselees. Still being tearful about Mirjam's death, and facing major challenges, I happened to come across the test today -- and I ran it on myself. I scored 7, which is "no depression" -- but 8 would be "minor depression". OBSERVATION: Depression is big among ministers.

Liquor On Her Breath

On Sunday, a young woman asked to talk to me about christening, respectively dedication. A deaconess stepped between us. She said: "I'm sorry Thomas, but this makes me mad!" She said to the young woman: "There's liquor on your breath! In the morning!" The young woman said: "No, Ma'am. It's toothpaste!" Our deaconess said: "Come closer! There is! Who do you take me to be?" OBSERVATION: Our deaconess would be right. She's an experienced nursing sister.

Pretty Picture

This one's just a pretty picture. I photographed these two young girls in Church on Sunday. The one in front kept saying "Amen" through the service, so she's welcome any time. You may click on the image to enlarge to VGA.

"Over The Top" Result

Yesterday I completed Term 16 out of 18 of my MA at Fuller. I must have hit "the highest note" of my career this term, with a 1,000-word critique of Moltmann. I was awarded 101%, with the comment: "Thomas, This is a fantastic critique - clear, cogent, and precise execution. You went straight to central themes of Moltmann and explicated them in view of your introductory work. It was so over the top in fact, I took the liberty of giving you an extra .1 on your grade. I strongly encourage you to consider going on for more advanced study in systematic theology. Very best," OBSERVATION: I found it funny. It gave me something to laugh about.

Widower

Mirjam died 2½ months ago. Since then, I have received several -- perhaps I could say many -- invitations from single women to get together, get in touch, and so on. An interesting thing is that, as far as I am aware, I do not know most of the women concerned -- and it seems unlikely that I ever will.

Unbloggable

Well I took down a post about unbloggable blog posts today, as I decided it was itself unbloggable! I lamented that, despite my blog being "live and unplugged", it seems that most of the action lately (that is, in the last month or so) has been unbloggable.

God's All-Seeing Eye

God's "All-Seeing Eye", or the Eye of Providence, is well known from the US$1 bill. Having a multi-ethnic congregation, I find that the all-seeing eyes of God are a fairly marked theme among members of African origin -- yet feature little among members of European origin. As an example, during the past two weeks, I received e-mails from two of our Church leaders. One wrote: "He does see everything." Another wrote: "God almighty can see." Psalm 7:9 seems to express the idea.

Harvest Festival

We held our Harvest Festival service this morning. It was nice to see a service that was really thriving. I said we would love to hand out parcels to pensioners, domestics, labourers, or anyone who was having a struggle. Here are some happy people we helped -- and we helped a good many besides. See also Harvest Festival.

Bicycle Speed

After our service today, I attended a braai or barbecue with ministers and cyclists -- Cape Town hosts the largest cycle tour of its kind in the world, popularly called the Argus Cycle Tour. But one of the cyclists didn't turn up. He'd hit a cliff -- and was admitted to hospital. They duly delivered his bicycle to the party, and began to dismantle it. Someone pulled the little computer off it and exclaimed: "He did 78km/h!" (49mph).

Privy To Deep Places

The Bible talks about the lizard that can be found in king's palaces (Prov 30:28). It seems to me a metaphor for ministry, as ministers have the great privilege, like the lizard, of entering everywhere. There is another, related privilege. Ministers are privy to the deepest recesses of people's hearts and minds. They may enter into places where even close companions don't. Just this week someone said to me: "I never told anyone that before."

Trust And Distrust

A young married couple came to see me. She said: "He told me that if I continue to mope, he'll go ***** his old girlfriend. How can I trust him after he said that?" OBSERVATION: OK, this husband flunks Matrimony 101. "How can I trust him or her?" is a question I have come across repeatedly in counselling. Can we trust another human being -- even a "trustable" one? In terms of my own view of human nature, not really. But we can trust God to "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil", and to surround us with His blessing.

On-Line Degree

Sometimes people ask me if I am doing a degree by correspondence. In fact it is an on-line degree. Depending how the classes are designed, and how much of the system one can get to work from Africa, one can get quite close at times to a live classroom experience. Typically, I connect with LA daily. There are also mandatory on-campus seminars -- but I have those behind me. The image shows one of my professors (Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen) delivering an on-line lecture.

Pitbull On The Loose

For the second time in a few months, I have been involved pastorally in an incident that made a front page headline (see image). "Scotty" is part Scottish Terrier -- killed by a Pitbull on the loose while being taken for a walk amongst our local high-rises. The tragedy is (all the more) that Scotty's owner recently survived a life-threatening illness. She said: "Scotty really helped me recover ... He gave me hope and strength." OBSERVATION: My private sources tell me that the situation is more serious than reported in the newspaper. No doubt the paper needs to err on the safe side.

Scriptural Priorities

Earlier this week I sat with a seminary student to try to figure out a conceptual approach to an assignment. The problem was basically: There is something happening in the Church that does not conflict with Scriptural principles. Is it right? OBSERVATION: We settled on the following approach, which seems good to me: There are Scriptural priorities, but not all things will fit with those priorities. In fact, they might be right outside those priorities. Then one needs to question their value.

Sadd: Missionary, Martyr

Recently I noted that I was helping a UK journalist with an article on the missionary and martyr Alfred Sadd. Here's the completed article, which said journalist kindly e-mailed me today. In short, the story is this: at the time that the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) were invaded by the Japanese, Sadd decided not to evacuate, but to stay with his people "in their hour of danger". He was executed by the sword. I lived in Sadd's house as a boy. You may click on the image to read the article (about 1MB in size).

Assignments

My blogging has been a little erratic lately. Part of the reason for this is that I have been approaching the end of term at Fuller Theological Seminary -- that's term 16/18 of an MA. Two days ago I handed in a two-page critique of Moltmann, and today I handed in a ten-page paper. OBSERVATION: In my paper, I seek to develop an original "motif" for reconciling the personal and the social dimensions of the gospel. I have completed 23/24 assignments this term -- just one to go now -- another two-page critique.

Silver Leaf Forest

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I went hiking tonight with H., a lecturer in project management. We walked from my suburb as far as the Silver Leaf Forest on Lion's Head (that's me in the forest, pictured). We may have hiked ten kilometres (six miles). It was a good opportunity to talk about some things of spiritual importance -- and everything and nothing. OBSERVATION: There are only three Silver Leaf "populations" in the world. In the right light, the forests are a shimmering silver.

Rock-Face Footpath

This one's just a "file photo" from my "Big Zero" birthday climb last year. The photo shows our elder C. on a footpath on our local peak, Lion's Head. Last week, I climbed this high -- to the bottom of the rock-face. Lion's Head is said to be one of the world's most magnificent climbs -- and an easy one.

Unobservant Reverend

I went to see a congregant this morning, an old man who has been ill. One of our members was with him, caring for him. I couldn't make the connection -- so I asked her what it was. She said: "Reverend, haven't you noticed!?" OBSERVATION: An unobservant Reverend missed another budding romance, it seems!

The Slaughter Of Anto

This post is about another time, another place. It is not for the faint-hearted. It is about the day they slaughtered Anto -- a pet pig that belonged to my sister and me in the mission (Ann-Thomas = Anto). Anto followed us around like a lamb. However, pigs grow big and fat, and the islanders decided to slaughter Anto for a feast. I wanted to see the slaughter -- I think I was seven years old at the time -- and permission was granted. It took place in a small clearing. A man clamped Anto tight between his legs. They slit Anto's throat with a big knife, and caught his blood in a large bowl. Anto was completely panicked. I was obliged to eat Anto (or pieces of him) at the feast, as custom dictated. My sister was exempted, because she was little, and a girl.

A Proven Thesis?

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This is my US Research Paper Grading Template this term -- a section of it anyway. It reveals one of the biggest stumbling-blocks I had as I sought to transfer from Fuller Theological Seminary (FTS) to the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2007. Do you see it? (you may click on the image to enlarge). The US examiners require that "the thesis was proven". For UCT, anything other than an exploration was outrageous. I walked into UCT not knowing this, and referred to proof (or some such language) in my proposal.

A Child Shall Lead Them

We had a small first in Church this morning. A child (see photo) led our Worship Team from start to finish. She did very well, too, and the congregation applauded. You may click on the photo to enlarge.

Rejected Minister

In my old Church, many years ago, we built a new Church, to seat 250 people. The Building Committee asked the minister for recommendations. I made three: crimson carpets rather than green, up-lights rather than down-lights, and raise the roof five bricks. All three recommendations were turned down. OBSERVATION: Sheesh. I think they were just being nice, asking me.

Evangelical [Or Not]

I've moved the more technical discussion over to Leadership South. During the past generation, two understandings of "evangelical" have developed. The new understanding (more Global North) says that "evangelical" is thinking which revolves around the Scriptures, creeds, and Reformers. The old understanding (more Global South) says that "evangelical" is thinking that is true to the Scriptures, creeds, and Reformers. It might sound much the same, but it isn't. OBSERVATION: Also, people may not reveal which of the two meanings they are using.

My "Tens Of Millions" Of Readers

This week one of my publishers wrote to me: "Thank you for taking part in our expanded marketREACH distribution initiative. Right now, tens of millions of new readers are discovering your book throughout the Amazon Marketplace and eBay." OBSERVATION: I do rather suspect that my publisher has suffered an attack of hyperbole -- that is, hoopla. However, I haven't checked my sales in about a year. Maybe they know something that I don't ... ! (I think this refers to my Electronics Scrapbook. Several electronics publishers turned over copyrights to me -- for love -- and I put them together in a book).

Photo Tribute

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I finally prepared a photo tribute as a memento of Mirjam's life. I had the choice of making many smaller copies, or fewer larger copies. I decided to make many smaller copies -- about 12 by 15 cm each -- so that no one is disappointed. You may click on the image to enlarge to XVGA (about 1MB). OBSERVATION: There are only so many photos one can select for a collage. Here, I tended to select images which were close to Mirjam's heart. Under-represtened are images from her homeland, her adventurousness, her boisterousness, her superb cooking and catering, and her academic involvements.

Dunking Stool

This is the Church where my father worshiped, and his parents before him -- if not their parents, too. Note the stone on the left, at bottom. This is the fulcrum for a dunking stool. A wife who was a "scold" was dunked here -- or witches were drowned here. This was common practice just 200 years ago. I took the photo in 2004.

Disturbing The Peace

I went to visit another Church. With single-cylinder diesel engine pounding, I pulled up in the street outside. An elder hurried across to my vehicle. He shouted and gesticulated, but I only saw his lips moving -- I couldn't hear a word he was saying. I jumped out of my cab. Now I could hear him. He said: "Could you shut that engine down? There's a service in progress!" OBSERVATION: My "mechanic" (see a recent post) said: "I never heard such a noisy vehicle!"

Power Play

A young woman came to see me in the vestry. She had singular looks, yet beautiful. She was engaged to a wealthy businessman, and she had a baby by him. She said: "All he wants is to get me between the sheets. I told him I want more from the relationship than this. He said, you'll get between the sheets, or I'll cancel your credit card." OBSERVATION: I read between the lines here that she threatened to withhold favours. Such situations are not too uncommon in our suburb.

Congratulations

Congratulations to son M. who yesterday was selected for an archaeological expedition to Herm (pictured) in Guernsey. This is in September. There are remains of Stone Age tombs on the island. As a teenager, he had dreams of island expeditions. Thanks to www.trekearth.com for the photo.

Pretty To Some

This one's just a pretty picture. Pretty to some! It is "hobbyist mechanic" Rev. A. servicing my vehicle. That's a "starting pulley" at the top left of the photo -- a rope start. One turns a rope around it and yanks it.

My Journey

I was stunned when Mirjam died -- even though I could see it coming a long way off. Slowly but surely, I seemed to find my feet. But some ten days ago, I unexpectedly ran into my worst week yet -- a really "bad trip". As a minister, I have dealt with bereavement hundreds of times -- but this was not familiar to me. I had helped Mirjam during her last weeks and days, almost to the end. At that time, it seemed like a movie screen -- as though I was merely watching it happen. I just needed to get us through. But suddenly, it seemed that it all came back to me in pictures -- only now with the emotions attached. I had a little help from my friends, I did some things which helped, and I am feeling better again. OBSERVATION: It is my choice to be more candid on this blog. I am aware that not all of my readers are comfortable with this. Thank you to those who have helped me achieve a better balance here. Do continue to help me.