The 10 Commandments

I had to laugh with two videos here the firstand here the second about the Ten Commandments. The last one is a survey in the US, where the interviewer asks normal people to list the commandments. What it comes very clear is that for 90% of the interviewed people, "you shall not commit adultery" is the first one that comes to their minds. I had to think myself on all the commandments.

Just to remember, I found a picture with the commandments, and placed it here. It won't harm I guess!

Be blessed,

Armando

Sermon 27.08.2006

If you want to listen yesterday's sermon (in English with excellent translation to Dutch by Yanneke Gertsma) please click here . Some time ago, listening a teaching by Tom Wright, he challenged his audience to tell stories, as Jesus did. Actually, story telling is what made Christianity, since at the beginning the oral tradition was how the message went on. So, that's what i did yesterday, just told a story, so the sermon is not the formal "Intro, 3 points, conclusion" ... You are warned.

Armando

Boombal Festival

The following statement should not surprise to my friends. I like dancing, probably due to my latino blood, and certainly due to my dad's ability for dancing. I've found special delight with European folk dances. Probably because or the right touches and roles. The inclusiveness of these dances reminds me of some principles of the Kingodm of God. As I said in my previous post, one of the most gratifying moments of the Living Waters training, was the dancing indeed!

So, yesterday I joined my Bolivian friend Ruth and my Belgian friend Dirk to the Boombal Festival in Lovendegem. We had lots of fun, taking first the initiation lessons (THE basics to succeed in such an activity), and then enjoyed the full dances until midnight.



In the previous picture my friend Mileen with a friend of hers, Hanna. They are really good dancers. Of course they will make the full festival, even camping in the place.

It was fun.

London 2006

Every human being has the need of holidays. Well, this year, my holidays were quite unusual, I went to London, for a training week at Oak Hill College. This training was organised by the Living Waters UK Ministries. Recently I heard that Oak Hill College is one of the most renamed Anglican seminaries. The campus has all the facilities for hosting conferences, and accomodate people in the students rooms.

It was a time of refreshing for me. Christian retreats & trainings are meant to be refreshing. My point is that each time I've been to a Living Waters activity, all my expectations have been LARGELY OVERWHELMED. It was great to see people I've met before, and rejoice together in what Jesus is doing in our lives. It was also great to learn to know new people, and if you are one of them, and happen to be reading this, I want to hug you via the internet.

We had lots of fun, even a party last thursday, with games and dancing. Scottish dances are such fun.

Thanks Jesus for your overwhelming love!

Lament over Lebanon

I've found a very clear and Chrisitan document that diagnoses the situation in Lebanon, by the Anglican theologian Colin Chapman. After reading it, I believe it deserves further spread in the world. Evangelicals, though often unheard, still have a voice that translates the biblical understanding of the world.

The Rev Colin Chapman was until 2003 Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, and now lives in semi-retirement near Cambridge. He has worked for 17 years in different places in the Middle East, and also taught at Trinity College, Bristol and Crowther Hall, Selly Oak, Birmingham. His books include Whose Promised Land? (Lion, 2003), Whose holy City? Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Lion, 2004); and 'Islamic Terrorism': Is There a Christian Response? (Grove, 2005).

You can read the article here.

STOP THE WAR

Every day I'm listening the BBC News, and since almost one month ago, the only thing that comes out are the devastating informations on the war in Lebanon. Yesterday, I wrote the following at the BBC World Have Your Say site:

Added: Tuesday, 8 August, 2006, 10:48 GMT 11:48 UK

If an end of hostilities is desirable a very old principle should be implemented: "And the work of justice shall be peace; and the service of righteousness shall be quietness and hope forever." I believe that justice should come first to the Middle East, justice as well for the Palestinians as for the Israelites. Without justice done, no resolution or agreement will succeed to bring the end of hostilities and the expected peace in the area.

Armando Perez-Cueto, Drongen, Belgium

Actually, my personal stand is that justice should come before peace. That is what the Bible clearly teachs! Of course, I thought it might not be accepted to cite the Bible at the BBC site, so, just copied and pasted Isaiah 32.17 and hope that God's word will be heard somehow.

There is no righteusness in this war, independantly of what politicians say. I'm getting sick hearing how the United Nations are "delaying" the resolution to put end to hostilities, and they are just playing with words, while hundreds of people are being killed daily. Both, Israelites and Palestinians have to compromise their stands. However, fundamentalist stands are difficult to agree with each other.

This slaughtery should end!

Celebrando la semana de la LACTANCIA MATERNA

Esta semana se celebra a la lactancia materna. Comparto con ustedes esta hermosa pintura de Picasso, que con todo su arte refleja la hermosura de este acto. El espacio no es suficiente para mencionar todas las ventajas de la lactancia materna tanto para la madre como para el niño o niña. Solo decir que felicito a todas la mujeres que han optado por darles a sus hij@s este alimento diseñado por Dios.

Armando