armandoke

That's all folks!

2009-08-28T15:48:00.003+02:00

After thinking about it and realizing that I'm not really posting regularly on this blog, I simply decided to close it. This will be indeed the last post of armandoke.blogspot.com.

The purposes of the blog were largely accomplished, but it is time for new adventures and challenges. The blog will nevertheless remain online as long as blogspot allowe it, as a good notebook to remember the past few years.

Be blessed, cambio y fuera!

ARMANDO

Wimber: Exhortation to pastors

2009-07-27T16:52:00.000+02:00

One life

2009-07-10T11:03:00.002+02:00

Proverbs 18:23 "The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults."

Are we still insulting the poor? How do we answer to the plea for mercy? This video by Christian Charity World Vision should help us to open our eyes.

Be faithful...

2009-07-10T10:44:00.002+02:00

More than many words!

Necesito

2009-07-07T11:39:00.000+02:00

Del cajón de los recuerdos :)

Because He Lives!

2009-06-28T16:53:00.000+02:00

NT Wright on the End Times (Second Coming)

2009-05-19T15:06:00.001+02:00

NT Wright : Authority of the Bible

2009-05-18T17:41:00.000+02:00

Dry pot throwing: amazing!

2009-05-15T11:05:00.001+02:00

Pottendraaien wereldrecord!

2009-05-08T10:51:00.001+02:00

Vlaamse Vineyard Dag 2009 bij ons!

2009-05-06T09:47:00.000+02:00

About Easter

2009-04-14T16:46:00.003+02:00

John 13:34-35 (New International Version)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Last Sunday witnessed a joyful celebration in Gent. Several Evangelical Churches came together for a joint-service. It was simply awesome. It was a signpost to resurrection. Unity is possible despite the diversity of ideas, doctrines and emphasis.

I thought in the concept of "extended family" meeting. Everyone knows which nuclear family belongs to, but all together make the complete picture! It was a success, and I hope this land will be blessed by God's children!

Alleluia, Jesus is risen!

GOOD FRIDAY

2009-04-10T11:50:00.004+02:00

My friend David Bolton posted the following on his FB

The Passover Lamb: He is our cup of redemption and our afikomen (our hidden and buried matzah).

The last 7 words of Jesus on the Roman cross:

1. "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO." (Luke 23:34)
2. "TODAY YOU SHALL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." (Luke 23:43)
3. "WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON....BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER." (John 19:26-27)
4. "MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" (Matthew 27:46)
5. "I THIRST" (John 19:28)
6. "IT IS FINISHED." (John 19:30)
7) "FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT." (Luke 23:46)

From Anglican Mainstream's meditations for the Holy Week

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: We enter the liturgy on Good Friday in silence. There is no "gathering rite.” As we in this moment, we have never have left the power of these days and nights of Holy Week. The first act of the liturgy is for the Presider and ministers to lay face down before the cross, in silence. As with all liturgical rituals, that invites us to lay prostrate before the cross as well. That takes some preparation. We can prepare to begin the Good Friday celebration by reflecting upon ourselves laying there - with all the feelings that this day calls for. What do we feel before the Cross? Awe, gratitude, guilt, powerlessness? Perhaps I too need to lay face down and say "I know this is done for me!

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Today is a day when illusions about this faith and this Lord get nailed to the Cross. The crucified Christ is crucified because of all the expectations, hopes and illusions of others. It is a profound moment that culminates with Jesus surrendering to His Father. In this moment Jesus shows us the only way to follow which is in complete surrender to the call of the Father.
We have a choice to embrace that reality or to continue on as disciples of illusions where we think we understand God; we think we know ourselves and those around us. We plan our lives and are shocked when these plans fall through. We impose our wills on God or even say we know His plans.

On the Cross there are no illusions. He is killed for our sake, so we would know life and truth not illusion. He simply did the will of the Father…without illusions. Today is a day to come face to face with some hard realizations

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Father, look with love on us your people. We ask for the same love which our Lord Jesus Christ showed us when he delivered himself up and suffered the agony of the cross, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

Maundy Thursday

2009-04-09T10:25:00.003+02:00

The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). Prior to breaking the bread with the disciples, Jesus washed their feet. As a result of these ceremonies the day received different names, all of which point to a church solemnity that evolved from Holy Week.

Readings of Exodus 12:1-42; John 13:1-17, 31-35

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: The three holy days before Easter, (known as the TRIDUUM), begins with today’s celebration and end with the Easter solemnity. The theme of the first lessons lays our attention on the Eucharist which is instituted in this “Last Supper” and yet some are surprised as John’s Gospel. Why all this attention to Jesus washing the feet of his disciples when he is giving us the Eucharist? Remember when Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to dinner and the discussion that ensued? The custom of the time was that the host would have his servants make the guests comfortable by cleansing their feet before they recline at table for the meal, conversation and fellowship. This is what Jesus is doing for his disciples in the upper room.
But this isn’t just a meal but the Passover celebration when faithful Jews recalled how Yahweh saved them from slavery and led them through the desert to their promised land. That event prefigures what Jesus is about to do for us all in this paschal mystery of salvation we are celebrating. And Jesus is present to his disciples in this meal as the servant. Are we people inclined to serve or be served tells a great deal about how we received the mysteries revealed this day?
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almightyand eternal God,you told us to love. But we are weak. We do not love as Jesus did, or anything like it. Send us your Spirit to change us and to make us love like the Crucified and Risen One, which we may carry out your mandate. Amen

Maundy Thursday Discipline – Make an effort to commit to an act of humble servitude that you would not normally do on this day. In the evening go to the liturgy and participate in the foot washing.

Picture from Nathan Turner
Source: Meditations of the Day at Anglican Mainstream

Spy Wednesday: Judas agrees to betray Jesus

2009-04-08T15:34:00.003+02:00

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: Few things do as much damage in our spirits as betrayal whether it is communal or personal. In espionage, thousands of lives can be effected, and perhaps even the whole course of the war can be changed, by the act of one well-placed traitor. In romance, a lover’s betrayal can bring great sadness, ruin, and even suicide. In business, someone sells a secret formula and the company can be destroyed.

How does this happen? Well most of us well know that it is our friends not our enemies who are in the best position to bring about our downfall. The friend has the knowledge, the experience, and the trust to accomplish what massive assaults by outsiders often can’t. This is what Jesus had to contend with on Spy Wednesday, knowing what Judas was off doing. What Judas set off amidst his own disappointment in Jesus was events such as torture; accusations;; being at the mercy of an enemy who has no mercy; and in the end, a barbarous execution. Sadly, it all started with a kiss from a friend and follower, from the one entrusted with their money, The truth is: Jesus was betrayed. That is the hard truth. There is another hard truth that on this day we must feel some part of the bitterness Jesus got, and know that we each did our part to bring it about.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord Please help me this day as I struggle to see how I have betrayed you and caused the cross to be taken up. Please give me the grace to resist the temptation from the power of the one who wants only to destroy my love and trust in you. Help me to be humble and accepting who you are and not betray you because of who I want you to be. Save me, Lord. Only you can save me. Amen

Spy Wednesday Discipline – Today is the day to reach out and make amends in justice and compassion with those you have betrayed or wronged in thought, word or deed. Conversely, it also the day that those who are being engaged for reconciliation be open to it.

Taken from Anglican Mainstream

Meditations for the Holy Week (TUESDAY)

2009-04-07T11:45:00.003+02:00

Luke 22.24-53

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

‘Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’

He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, not a thing.’ He said to them, ‘But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, “And he was counted among the lawless”; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ He replied, ‘It is enough.’

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

Meditation of the day
Jesus gave the example of servant leadership, challenging us to be accountable for our actions. It is a call to be vigilant; are we? it is a call to persevere in prayer; are we persevering, steadfast in the King? It is a calling to be vulnerable, are we willing to be vulnerable and reach out our hands to ask for God's help, grace and will? It is a challenge to do conquer without swords but by self-giving.

Collect of the day

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Anglican Meditations for the Holy Week (MONDAY)

2009-04-06T11:43:00.005+02:00

The following material has been taken from ANGLICAN MAINSTREAM

am: Ps 51
pm: 69:1-23
Jer 12:1-16; Phil 3:1-14; John 12:9-19

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The term “Holy Monday” carries over from the Eastern Orthodox Church for Monday and Tuesday of this Week also known as Great and Holy Monday and Tuesday. On these days, an icon of the "Bridegroom" is placed in the center of the church, portraying Jesus wearing the purple robe of mockery and crowned with a crown of thorns. Also the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated, at which the faithful may receive Holy Communion from the reserved Holy Mysteries.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY: For the Apostle Paul, we see today that he spends a good bit of time that there is the need for perspective and self-reflection. As a matter of fact he calls all that he has done he has just spent time explaining to the Philippians Christians of little consequence and in fact, it is worthless. WHY? Because he has met and encountered Jesus Christ and everything, is worthless compared to knowing him? This Week in Holy Week, we are given a profound opportunity through the liturgical journey of the church to come face to face with the power of the cross and reconcile our lives with the price Christ had to pay to save us. This is not a week to be complacence and to look forward to a nice holiday. Rather we should be aware that here is much to
do in this journey, if we want to attain the prize of which he speaks . As we consider the words of St. Paul today and moving through this Holy Week, let us ponder our reasons why or why not we are on the road to accomplish the prize, which is Christ Jesus as Risen Lord.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. Amen - - (Psalm 142)

Holy Monday Discipline – Take some time to study about what the church teachings on poverty and the Christian response is to be. Ask yourself how significant your life response has been. Such thoughts will not only help you serve Christ, but you also add into yourself a wider perspective about difficult issues. Or Think about this….Mary used costly perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet. What is valuable in your life today? Time? Money? Relationships? How can you use these things to honor Jesus?

True femininity

2009-03-20T16:30:00.001+01:00

Watch Nooma 021 | She in Faith & Spirituality | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Thanks Filip for sharing this!

Vlaamse VINEYARD DAG

2009-03-19T16:54:00.003+01:00

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

NT Wright on Resurrection

2009-03-09T11:36:00.001+01:00

NT Wright on evil & satan

2009-03-09T10:57:00.001+01:00

Israeli Apartheid Week 2009

2009-02-26T09:54:00.003+01:00

Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend Norman Finkelstein's lecture at KUL (Catholic University of Leuven). Although the announced subject was related to what can be learned from Gandhi to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he actually spoke about the recent massacre of Gaza. He has obviously his own view, probably gave his own spin to all facts. Nevertheless, he spoke about facts.

Long time ago, I was a blind supporter of the State of Israel and its actions against Palestinians. I believed naively, as I was taught, that Israel's State was the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, that God had a 'special deal' with Israel, and that nobody should even question Israel's actions, because nobody should 'speak against the elected people of God'. Furthermore, I was taught that Palestinians were cursed by God.

I believed lies. And I am so sorry for that...

Anyway, my small contribution today: one voice for the peace between Israel and Palestina. I still believe that JUSTICE precedes PEACE. And I still believe that the actual hope for both Israel and Palestine is the Messiah, Jesus, the Eternal King. He comes bringing restorative justice!

Thanks God he is out!

2009-01-20T12:43:00.006+01:00

My first 2009 post goes to celebrate the end of the Bush era! Finally, this man will no longer be "the Emperor" and hopefully his successor will amend, if possible, his mistakes as leader.

Happy 2009!

May God be merciful with the World outside the US and also with the US population.

Picture was found here

Gateway: A Church for the emerging generation

2008-12-06T14:28:00.001+01:00

Interview with John Burke from Gateway Church

2008-12-06T14:22:00.002+01:00

The Ordinary Radicals

2008-12-02T10:49:00.001+01:00

The Ordinary Radicals - Trailer from Jamie Moffett on Vimeo.

Star Wars: simply funny!

2008-11-26T10:44:00.000+01:00

The Teapot

2008-11-18T15:12:00.004+01:00

There was a proud Teapot, proud of being made of porcelain, proud of its long spout and its broad handle. It had something in front of it and behind it; the spout was in front, and the handle behind, and that was what it talked about. But it didn't mention its lid, for it was cracked and it was riveted and full of defects, and we don't talk about our defects - other people do that. The cups, the cream pitcher, the sugar bowl - in fact, the whole tea service - thought much more about the defects in the lid and talked more about it than about the sound handle and the distinguished spout. The Teapot knew this.

"I know them," it told itself. "And I also know my imperfections, and I realize that in that very knowledge is my humility and my modesty. We all have many defects, but then we also have virtues. The cups have a handle, the sugar bowl has a lid, but of course I have both, and one thing more, one thing they can never have; I have a spout, and that makes me the queen of the tea table. The sugar bowl and the cream pitcher are permitted to be serving maids of delicacies, but I am the one who gives forth, the adviser. I spread blessings abroad among thirsty mankind. Inside of me the Chinese leaves give flavor to boiling, tasteless water."

This was the way the Teapot talked in its fresh young life. It stood on the table that was prepared for tea and it was lifted up by the most delicate hand. But that most delicate hand was very awkward. The Teapot was dropped; the spout broke off, and the handle broke off; the lid is not worth talking about; enough has been said about that. The Teapot lay in a faint on the floor, while the boiling water ran out of it. It was a great shock it got, but the worst thing of all was that the others laughed at it - and not at the awkward hand.

"I'll never be able to forget that!" said the Teapot, when later on it talked to itself about its past life. "They called me an invalid, and stood me in a corner, and the next day gave me to a woman who was begging for food. I fell into poverty, and was speechless both outside and inside, but as I stood there my better life began. One is one thing and then becomes quite another. They put earth in me, and for a Teapot that's the same as being buried, but in that earth they planted a flower bulb. Who put it there and gave it to me, I don't know; but it was planted there, a substitution for the Chinese leaves and the boiling water, the broken handle and spout. And the bulb lay in the earth, inside of me, and it became my heart, my living heart, a thing I never had before. There was life in me; there were power and might; my pulse beat. The bulb put out sprouts; thoughts and feeling sprang up and burst forth into flower. I saw it, I bore it, and I forgot myself in its beauty. It is a blessing to forget oneself in others!

"It didn't thank me, it didn't even think of me - everybody admired it and praised it. It made me very happy; how much more happy it must have made it!

"One day I heard them say it deserved a better pot. They broke me in two - that really hurt - and the flower was put into a better pot; then they threw me out into the yard, where I lie as an old potsherd. But I have my memory; that I can never lose!"

The End

Primoz Trubar, a Kingdom Story in Slovenia

2008-11-05T22:19:00.006+01:00

Due to my professional engagements, I'm visiting the beautiful city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. I am attending the First European Food Congress, where several subjects related to food such as health, nutrition, consumer behaviour, safety, etc. are being thorougly discussed.

Anyway, yesterday, on my way to the registration desk, I noticed that there was an exhibition in a nearby museum about a man called Primoz Trubar, and I could understand something about "protestant" in the title (my Slovenian is null). So, after registration, I visited the aforementioned museum. The guide told me the following story:

Primoz Trubar was a Bible believing Christian, who played a very important role in the history of Slovenia. He was very much influenced by the German reformers. The desire of his heart was that every Slovenian person could read the Bible (translated by Jurij Dalmatin). Therefore, he dedicated his life to the development of the Slovenian language. First he wrote a Catechism (a basic introduction to the faith), and he developed the first Slovenian alphabet (abecedarium). He didn't stop there. He founded several primary and popular schools where all children, boys and girls could go to learn the alphabet and other subjects like how to live decently in society. Moreover, Trubar was the pioneer of secondary education in Slovenia. Today's Slovenian language would not have existed if Trubar would not have taken the calling and contributed to the "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". He was working FOR the Kingdom of God!

After few years, he was forced to exile in Germany ... the politics of the Austrian-Habsburgs in close collaboration with the RC Inquisition yielded in the persecution of this man. Tubar's work was prohibited and even the mention of his name was banned from all history textbooks until the early XX Century. In 2008 the Slovenian people celebrate the 500 anniversary of the birth of this man of God's Kingdom. Vindicated after centuries of forcedly being forgotten. The official Slovenian Government address can be read here. The official site of Trubar2008 is here with more detailed biographical information.

It was an inspiring visit!

Earliest Christian church: archeological findings on de divinity of Jesus

2008-10-20T11:24:00.005+02:00

I found the following story at sydneyanglicans.net A documentary film will be released in 2009 including archeological and historical evidence of how early Christians worshiped, and their understanding of Jesus as God. I'm posting the first part of the article here, and it can be read in full here.

"The Life of Jesus film crew has gained rare access to an archaeological find that cements historical evidence early Christians worshiped Jesus as divine.

Dr John Dickson, the series’ host and co-founder of the Centre for Public Christianity, will guide viewers through the remains of an ancient prayer hall unearthed at Megiddo in central Israel.

“The inscriptions on the mosaic floor are remarkable,” Dr Dickson says.

“One of them names a benefactor called Gaianus who is described as a centurion. Another mentions a woman called Akeptous who ‘…offered this table in memorial of the God Jesus Christ’.”

The inscriptions cast more doubt on claims made by prominent atheists and popular authors that Jesus’ divinity was an invention by the fourth century church.

“Here is extraordinary physical evidence from the century before Constantine and the Council of Nicaea that Christians, including Roman officials, were worshipping Jesus as divine,” Dr Dickson explains.

THE FULL STORY CAN BE FOUND HERE.

A review of The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment. By Tim Challies.

2008-10-13T11:37:00.002+02:00

In the midst of all doctrinal turmoils that the Church worldwide is facing, particularly the 'all-inclusive-feel-good-gospel' the following review of the book "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment" fits perfectly. From Bill Muehlenberg's blog and via the Anglican Mainstream's site.

There was a time when it was a virtue to be known as discerning and discriminating. That was before Political Correctness set in. Now in an age of relativism and postmodernism, a fraudulent form of tolerance has arisen. As a result, people are terrified of speaking out on anything, for fear of being accused of being intolerant, narrow-minded and dogmatic.

Sadder still, this foolish idea of tolerance has crept into the churches as well. Now many believers are actually claiming that Christians should not judge, should not rebuke, and should not claim to have the truth. Somehow we have come to believe that spiritual maturity has something to do with the suspension of judgment and the absence of critical discernment.

But Tim Challies argues that the exact opposite is the case: spiritually mature Christians are those who have learned the discipline of biblical discernment. Indeed, a lack of discernment results in spiritual immaturity, backsliding and worse.

Challies defines spiritual discernment as the “skill of understanding and applying God’s word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong”.

It is, in other words, thinking biblically about life. He argues that it is a practice, like prayer and Scripture reading, which must be developed and maintained. Without the discipline of spiritual discernment, we will be ineffective for service in the Kingdom.

Challies offers many texts to make his case. He begins with the prayer of King Solomon in which he asks God for “an understanding mind” to govern his people, and that he “may discern between good and evil”. God was pleased with his request and granted it. Even today, we still speak about the wisdom of Solomon.

Of course Jesus had to upbraid his disciples for not being understanding, or discerning (Mark 8:17-21). The New Testament writers make much of this theme. In Eph. 5:10 Paul says we should “discern what is pleasing to the Lord”.

In Heb. 5:11-14 we are told that spiritual maturity comes when believers “have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good form evil”. Challies reminds us that the Hebrew Christians were not new believers, and they should have known better. But they were still stuck on the milk of the Word, and not able to handle strong meat.

Sound theology, in other words, is part of what makes for mature believers. We need to study the Word and distinguish truth from error, right from wrong. But many in the church today look down on theology, denigrate doctrine, celebrate doubt and rubbish the mind. That is a recipe for disaster says Challies.

Developing biblical discernment is part of the way in which we develop a biblical worldview. Unfortunately a secular worldview is far too often prevalent in the churches. Many believers have latched onto false notions of tolerance, have downplayed doctrine, have rejected the idea of truth, and have embraced the values of the world.

When believers stop thinking Christianly, their thoughts and values do not remain in neutral: they end up absorbing the beliefs, values and practices of the surrounding secular culture. We end up believing and acting pretty much like everyone else does.

Indeed, researchers such as George Barna have documented the loss of a biblical worldview, and the resultant loss of character and biblical lifestyle. This is why spiritual discernment is so important.

Spiritual maturity, brought on by biblical discernment, will help us live lives of integrity and sound character, and will help preserve the gospel from error and deception. Both are vitally important.

Challies discusses the importance of judging, and looks at passages which seem to forbid it, such as Matt. 7:1. He rightly notes that hypocritical judgment is what Jesus warns against here. Challies examines the various passages that urge us to test all things and to discern, evaluate and assess.

He further discusses such things as the gift of discernment, the dangers of discernment, the development and practice of discernment, and the discipline of discernment. Thus this volume is a practical and level-headed look at a much needed spiritual resource.

We have plenty of books on the discipline of prayer, bible reading, fasting, and so on. But the area of Christian worldview and biblical discernment is not usually associated with such topics. But these disciplines all go together, resulting in spiritual growth and maturity.

Challies is to be praised for drawing to our attention the pressing need for spiritual discernment, and how it may be achieved.

Incarnational Christianity

2008-08-07T11:56:00.000+02:00

Archbishop Venables in Lambeth

2008-08-04T13:47:00.001+02:00

More on Lambeth and the 'S' day

2008-07-31T14:31:00.003+02:00

In the previous post, I assumed wrongly that the voices of ex-gays were not heard in Lambeth. Actually, in the market place, and amongst all pro-gay activists, there is one prophetic voice as reported by VirtueOnLine.

Speaking of ex-gay or post-gay, the Zacchaeus Fellowship is here bearing witness to the transforming power of Christ's love in our lives. "As men and women who have struggled with same-sex attractions, we seek to be a voice of hope to the church and to others who share these struggles. We encourage the Church to stand firm in proclaiming to everyone who experiences same-sex attractions that Christ offers them new life and hope." Not with this crowd. Inclusion means never having to repent or change your life.

VirtueOnLine reports are worth to read.

Keep praying and let's see what happens!

Decisive day in Lambeth: the 'S' day

2008-07-31T11:10:00.003+02:00

Early this morning the BBC announced that today is THE day. Bishops will talk and reflect on human sexuality (that's why I called it the 's' day!)
The agenda for today can be found here. Even more, later today a theater play will be performed on the stories of gay Christians.

Funny enough, Bishops have been listening to one side of the story. But Peter Ould made the point in a recent post: the voices of those Christians who once were gay and today are not gay anymore have not been heard! He clearly mentions Andy Comiskey (the founder of Desert Stream Ministries, now in Kansans), Mario Bergner, an Anglican priest from Redeemed Lives Ministries. There are other Anglicans like Martin Hallet the founder of True Freedom Trust who deserve to be heard, or that should have had more room and space in all this process. Probably they were heard before.

A good article on the Anglican Crisis can be found here.

Again, let's pray, wait and see.

Venables in Lambeth

2008-07-30T14:00:00.004+02:00

Many years ago, I've seen and heard ++ Gregory Venables preaching a couple of times when he was the Bolivian Anglican Bishop. If there is something I remember from his preachings, it is that he would never doubt to use any circumstance or situation to preach the Gospel, to announce Jesus. Actually, I admired the fact that an older man would be so outspoken for Jesus.

Anyway, many years later, this man is one of the central figures of the Anglican Communion. He participated in the GAFCON conference, provided pastoral oversight to those bible believing Anglicans in the US and Canada (a remnant?), and stood firm for the orthodox faith.

Church Times has published some recent comments by Bishop Venables. The full article can be read here. Apparently, there is a kind of 'denial' mood in Lambeth, and the core issues are not being properly addressed.

Unless we talk about the real reasons why we are divided there’s little hope of putting it back together again

Let's wait and see!

Lambeth ...

2008-07-30T10:43:00.005+02:00

It is difficult to follow all the moves and news from the Lambeth Conference. Our brethren in the Anglican Communion are struggling to choose either a bible based faith, with the pains and sorrows that it may imply, or to choose a more modern and open minded way of believing. I think that the latter is an avoidance of the 'sorrows' that we should expect in this world (John 16.33).

Archbishop Williams pronounced his Second Presidential Address to the Lambeth Conference 2008. Hereunder an extract of his speech:

What might the traditional believer hope others have heard? ‘What we seek to do in our context is faithfully to pass on what you passed on to us — Holy Scripture, apostolic ministry, sacramental discipline. But what are we to think when all these things seem to be questioned and even overturned? We want to be pastorally caring to all, to be “inclusive” as you like to say. We want to welcome everyone. Yet the gospel and the faith you passed on to us tell us that some kinds of behaviour and relationship are not blessed by GOD. Our love and our welcome are unreal if we don’t truthfully let others know what has shaped and directed our lives — so along with welcome, we must still challenge people to change their ways. We don’t see why welcoming the gay or lesbian person with love must mean blessing what they do in the Church’s name or accepting them for ordination whatever their lifestyle. We seek to love them — and, all right, we don’t always make a good job of it : but we can’t just say that there is nothing to challenge. Isn’t it like the dilemma of the early Church — welcoming soldiers, yet seeking to get them to lay down their arms?

Let's wait and see.

Historic: The Jerusalem Declaration

2008-06-30T10:09:00.003+02:00

Finally, after the GAFCON a Declaration was released. The full text can be found here.

8. We acknowledge God’s creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.

13. We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord.

By affirming the historical and biblical teaching on human sexuality and rejecting the Ministry of those who don't even believe in the Resurrection or the uniqueness of heterosexual marriage, it seems obvious that Anglicanism is facing a split.
It seems obviuos that GAFCON Leaders do not recognize the ministry of those who uphold heretic doctrines (as the TEC or the Church of Canada). Now Lambeth ... Venables will be there as a voice from GAFCON, while the Bishop of Rochester cannot have communion with those who departed from the orthodox faith. Packer has requested Rowan William's resignation. The turmoil does not seem to pass away.

Conservatives are also 'split'. The main Orthodox scholar NT Wright has clearly expressed his opposition to the GAFCON movement. If he eventually becomes the head of the Anglican Communion as it has been suggested in the blogsphere, he or whoever inherits the Canterbury See will have to be very creative to keep the unitiy of the one Apostolic an catholic Church.

On the Anglican Communion: Reform from within!

2008-06-26T13:13:00.005+02:00

I have been following the current events in the Anglican Communion. At this very moment, more than 250 Bishops and in total about 1000 bishops, clergy and lay leaders are reunited in Jerusalem, at the Global Anglican Future Conference 'GAFCON' , praying and listening God on His will for the future of the Anglican Communion.

What we are meeting for here is not to plan to walk away. We are meeting to renew our commitment, to renew our faith, to get a sense of direction of what we can be as Anglicans. We do not want to start a new Church. (Archbishop Orombi, Uganda)

The Anglican leaders are searching for a renewed commitment to evangelism and the proclamation of the Gospel of King Jesus, despite the growing influence of secularism in society. They are looking for a refreshed way to tell the world that King Jesus has actually never forsaken his people and God's creation.

The West is losing a Christian discourse at the very time it needs it most. Let us pray we are able to recover our Christian nerve in the West and to make sure the Gospel is not lost. (Bishop of Rochester, UK)

The Anglican leaders understood that there is indeed a need to keep the unity of the Church, and that their voices are much more important within the context of the Global Anglicanism than becoming a separate Church. What a challenge!

the agenda is now reform from within rather than starting a breakaway conservative Anglican church (Times Online)

Hakani - Against infanticide!

2008-06-12T10:57:00.004+02:00

A YWAM minister and writer, made me aware of the campaign against infanticide in tribal societies. I could not finish watching the video suggested by the Organization HAKANI. It made me sick. The video can be found here.

Keep the most vulnerable amongst the vulnerable in your prayers. If you want to take action, visit their site. Letters and action kits are available.

Some Emergent stuff (no words, just pics)

2008-06-11T13:41:00.004+02:00

More HERE

Psalm 56

2008-06-05T11:08:00.002+02:00

Psalm 56
To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] "Silent Dove Among Those Far Away." Of David. A record of memorable thoughts when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1 BE MERCIFUL and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary oppresses me.
2 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up or trample me all day long, for they are many who fight against me, O Most High!
3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.
4 By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life.
7 They think to escape with iniquity, and shall they? In Your indignation bring down the peoples, O God.
8 You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle--are they not in Your book?
9 Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me.
10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise,
11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings.
13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.

Faith Foundation? please!

2008-06-04T10:26:00.004+02:00

Sunday mornings I normally listen to the BBC's reporting religion. Obviously, BBC reports from a very liberal, open minded and inclusive point of view. It is nevertheless something I like to listen, since in between the paraphernalia of all roads lead to god, there are often very good testimonies of Christians worldwide that obviously shine in between the philosophical mixture.

Last Sunday, the report focused on the former UK's Prime Minister Tony Blair's Faith Foundation. He is calling to all faiths to come to a kind of concerted action to tackle hunger, poverty, malaria, etc. And this man thinks that doing "good" will eventually bring the expected era of light. What was more shocking, was that Blair would always mention devoted Christians such as Martin Luther King Jr., and fill his mouth with the examples of such Christians bringing changes to their societies. I wonder why he could not find such examples in other faiths ...

I find still odd that when it is convenient, Christians and Christianity are used as 'examples', but when it comes to actually let Christians even the option to preach the good news of King Jesus, they are silenced and prohibited to preach. But actually, the only ones who can make changes for the sake of populations and the whole creation are those who believe that Jesus is actually the King and not the ruling system or the philosophies of the world.

Anyway, Blair is not necessarily someone who has any moral authority to bring faiths into conversation. He is an apostate of the Christian (Bible believing) faith, trying to play the game of " a bit of compromise here and there cannot harm", without realising that in the practice he is asking Christians alone to compromise to better understand the others. I wonder what our forefathers in the faith would have thought of these initiatives when they were being brought to the stake ...

Good intentions Mr Blair. But forget not that good intentions with no firm foundation on certain Rock, will be sooner or later overwhelmed by the storms and winds of a fundamentalism that denies the goodness of God the Creator, and the Rule of King Jesus.

More About Amsterdam Vineyard Mission

2008-05-28T10:56:00.001+02:00

Outrageous: patenting pigs!

2008-05-27T14:38:00.004+02:00

Outrageous!

You can follow all the story in youtube or here

This is Gods original commandment:

Gen 1.27-31 (NIV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

I wonder what part of "God saw all that he had made" is non-understandable. He made all things, and made humanity the steward of creation. Shame on the Corporations that put themselves in service of money! Soon they will want to patent the human genome so that every baby that is born has to pay a fee for existing! Outrageous!

UK banned the father and allowed mixing animal and human genetic material

2008-05-21T09:57:00.008+02:00

I have been following via BBC (at home) and Anglican Mainstream (through internet) the current debate in the UK about the recent bills under consideration. I don't know where common sense has fled. Maybe Her Gracious Majesty can still veto the recent bills.

So, to start, Times Online reported that the new right of women is to have children without a father. The full article can be read here or here. It is one of the main social victories of single women and lesbian couples, or is it? The paradoxical part of this story, for those who have ever been involved in pastoral care, is the fact that many manifestations of inner brokenness are actually the consequence of dysfunctional families, and definitely due to the absence of the father figure. Shame! The worst part of this story is that nobody will tell these children about the Christian God that is a father for the fatherless ...

The other story had to do with the hybrid embryo research. The full story can be found here. Some of the advocates say that use of hybrid embryos could be good for finding cure to degenerative diseases such as Parkinson. Gordon Brown's own child is affected by a chronic degenerative disease. This bill also allows the "production" of "saviour siblings", or more clearly to make viable children to be used to save the life of the older sick sibling.

Finally, the legislators have also kept the 24 weeks term where abortions can be performed. Full story here. I want to quote MP Edward Leigh words:

In modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother's womb. It should be a place of sanctity

I wonder, have the common Brit ever seen a youtube video on abortion? The series on the Silent Scream are available here, here, here, here, and here. There are also videos on the results of abortion, see here. This testimony could help.

Other video about the abortion business in Spain (Warning: it's a shocking video!!!) ... Shame!

Is 57.1 The righteous perish,
and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.

2 Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.

3 "But you—come here, you sons of a sorceress,
you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

4 Whom are you mocking?
At whom do you sneer
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,
the offspring of liars?

5 You burn with lust among the oaks
and under every spreading tree;
you sacrifice your children in the ravines
and under the overhanging crags.

6 The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion;
they, they are your lot.
Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings
and offered grain offerings.
In the light of these things, should I relent?

7 You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill;
there you went up to offer your sacrifices.

8 Behind your doors and your doorposts
you have put your pagan symbols.
Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed,
you climbed into it and opened it wide;
you made a pact with those whose beds you love,
and you looked on their nakedness.

May God be merciful! Jesus is Lord! Marantha, come Lord Jesus with your restoring righteousness!

Evangelical Manifesto

2008-05-20T10:28:00.002+02:00

Few days ago Filip brought the attention to the recently launched Evangelical Manifesto. After reading it, I found it worth of promotion and to further consider it as a good reference.

The Summary can be found here
The full document can be found here

Flemish Vineyard Day 2008

2008-05-19T17:54:00.001+02:00

Psalm 119

2008-05-08T09:48:00.004+02:00

This famous photo, taken on 5 June 1989 by photographer Jeff Widener, depicts an unknown man trying to stop the PLA's advancing tanks.

The first time i saw the previous picture was on the newspaper. It was impressive to see one man standing against the powers of this age, the powers who only know ruling by force and oppression.

When I was adolescent, several testimonies of radical Christian men and women coupled with definitely sound Kingdom teaching, also inspired me to live my Christian life in a radical way, standing firm on the Scripture. It was a challenge particularly in an environment where the Bible wasn't really appreciated. But it was also a challenge in the midst of a Church that was growing exponentially in numbers, but not even arithmetically in Bible knowledge, and in the doctrine of the Apostles. All winds of doctrine came further as hurricanes to the Body: "prosperity" and "faith" gospels, neo-gnosticism with escapist theories, biased Calvinism mixed with biased Arminianism and Pelagianism, or the recently discovered "Gehena" doctrine (which is the equivalent of purgatory for some Evangelicals), revivals with lots of external manifestations ... Wonder why it was so difficult for many, including myself, to have a safe haven, a safe port. When I look this small list, I can see many of my old days friends having taken one or the other or all roads at different times. The only safe place has been for generations and generations the Bible.

But during my life, I discovered that compromising the Bible and the teachings of Gods Kingdom normally had a negative effect in my life. Each time i not only had the intention to live according to the "majority", following the current of the thought of this world, but actively did so, found myself in places where I now wish I would have never been. My youth friends went all also to explore different spiritualities, religion, places and philosophies. And we all learned, each time followed by the next, that the only safe place to go back was and remains the Bible.

Of course, I would not have ever dreamed those days that once in the far future (almost 20y later) I would be living in Europe, in the intellectual environment of Darwinian science, neo-liberal economy and flexible orthodoxy. Since nothing is new under the sun, I found in the Bible (of course), that other men in the past experienced with similar challenges.

Psalm 119
g Gimel
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
and who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.

23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

So from this humble blog, a single voice lifted to encourage those like Greg Venables or Tom Wright who stand firm in the faith! Your example is followed by many, and your testimonies are an encouragement to believers all over the world.

Venables will attend Lambeth

2008-05-02T11:53:00.003+02:00

Finally, after lots of "I won't attend Lambeth" and probably following the request of several orthodox bishops in the UK, +++Greg Venables, the Primate of the Southern Cone will indeed attend Lambeth.

The full story here.

In any case, due to all the turmoil surrounding the schism between Orthodox (Bible believing) and Liberal (open minded, easy going and not really Bible believing) Anglicans, Venables' presence in Lambeth is of utmost importance. He must stand for those who still hold the Bible as final source of doctrine and faith, as the Reformers did. At least, the Orthodox Anglicans should make their voices heard.

Songs of praise - Hail the day that sees Him rise

2008-05-02T11:11:00.000+02:00

Ik ben tolero

2008-04-24T17:23:00.004+02:00

Recently Kris Vleugels' mailing list brought to my attention the newest tolerance campaign in Belgium. His statements are clearly posted at actiegezin. The campaign organized by Mme Katheleen Van Brempt, the Flemish Minister of Equal Chances has been followed by the media and some groups due to a very tricky and controversial slogan. The full campaign basically aims at making Flemish society more tolerant with homosexual people and reduce the discrimination against same sex attracted people, highlighting the difficulties faced, particularly by youngsters, in the acceptance of homosexuality as their identity.

I think that everybody agrees with the fact that all humans deserve respect, equal chances, and opportunities. In that context I would oppose to any kind of intolerance and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Still, I think that the wording of the campaign is a bit out of boundaries. The campaign starts with the very famous 'f' word. That does not need translation. It curses homosexuals and heterosexuals both at the same time, and then lifts up the "toleros" (the tolerants). In my humble opinion it insults/offends gay people as well as heterosexual people. I wonder, why not to be proactive and creative in the communication strategies? That the campaign wants to shock is clear! But trespassing the limits of respecting the "other" by using such wording is at the very least questionable.

Obviously, there is a huge debate. Lots of discussions going on the issue, including in the Christian sites. Obviously, the younger generation of Christians are debating it in the forum of the Breeze site.

I was simply astonished by the following statement:

Wie zijn wij christenen om aan een ander onze normen en waarden op te leggen? (signed truthseeker)

Translation: Who do we think we are, Christians, to impose our values on others?

Today at lunch, my friend Samuel reminded me that adulthood is also about knowing your beliefs. Such comments from Christians trying to play the "cool" are a post enlightenment misunderstanding of the Gospel. This makes me think that we are not to "impose" anything by force. That was the failure of the Inquisition. But we can indeed embody a different lifestyle, a lifestyle fueled by the love described in 1st Corinthians 13. Love has also to do with truth. Love has to do with remaining firm and unmovable in the faith of the Resurrected Jesus for the sake of the whole society.

Be blessed!

It's well with my soul (Hymn)

2008-04-21T09:34:00.001+02:00

Powerful testimony! Powerful Hymn!

Wonderings of the Anglican Communion (2)

2008-04-15T17:13:00.004+02:00

After yesterday's post, i've found that last weekend FULCRUM had a specific meeting to address the issue of the Communion and the Anglican Covenant. The main speakers were obviously Tom Wright, and Andrew Goddard.

Tom Wright's lecture "Conflict and Covenant in the Bible" can be found HERE.

Andrew Goddard's lecture "Conflict and Covenant in the Communion" can be found HERE.

In any case, it clarifies very much the understanding of what's going on with the Anglicans, and definitely does not support any idea that +Tom would be making his way from Durham to Canterbury. +Tom actually supports militantly the role of +++Rowan Williams, and hopes for the unity of the Anglicans. Both lectures are long to read but worth.

Both lectures should be carefully read by those supporting +++Venables or +++Akinola in their attempts to bring their understanding of righteousness to the wider Church. And both make the point: it's not about homosexuality per se, but about the boundaries of the Communion. It seems that everyone made homosexuality the central issue, when it's not, it's simply the manifestation of a deeper problem.

I still have to think about ;-)

Wonderings of the Anglican Communion

2008-04-14T10:02:00.007+02:00

As most of my friends know, I came to the Christian (bible based faith) in the setting of a small Anglican Church in La Paz. As consequence, I always had a special heart for the Anglican Communion. It was normally refreshing to know that despite the hurricanes of doctrine that whipped Bolivia (e.g.Liberation Theology, Prosperity & Faith 'gospels', Dispensationalism, and lots of other mixtures), one could always count on the Bible based faith of the Anglicans. Even if the appointed leader were once "too liberal" (low Church) or the next "too backwards" (high Church), they normally kept the principle of honoring the Bible as final source of authority: the simple saying "Show me what is in the Bible and I will teach it. Show me that what I teach isn't in the Bible, and I will stop teaching it."

I recently found a post from the Unofficial Lambeth 2008 Website. They are already suggesting that Archbishop Rowan Williams should resign in order to keep the unity of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Anglicans are the largest non RC Christian denomination in the world, and in many places they are "the" reference of what Christianity is all about. Therefore, the unity of the Anglicans is a matter not only for the member but for the whole Body of Christ on the Earth.

And Michael Daly, boldly suggests that the well respected scholar, the Lord Bishop of Durham, may be the successor and the only move that could keep the Anglican Communion as a Unity. Hereunder his words:

“But, who will replace him?” you ask. I thought about that, too. While +Rochester would make a fine candidate (at least I think so), he would never fly with the rest of the Communion and it is doubtful that most British people (apart from the Evangelicals) would think much of it, either. Step back a bit, then and think about who in the English Church has been most outspoken recently about maintaining the structural integrity of the Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Communion? I’ll give you a hint: he’s another eminent scholar and has a seat in the House of Lords.

Putting this all together may seem a bit of a stretch, but it makes sense to my supper-addled mind, this evening. Could +Tom Wright be making a play for something the present Archbishop of Canterbury has already given up on? And would it necessarily be a bad thing?

Apparently all odds are pointing to NT Wright as the successor. As for me, I will simply keep praying for the Anglicans in the pain where they are now.

Psalm 145

2008-04-11T13:14:00.001+02:00

It's so refreshing!

Music: Interlude (Levi Stanford)

Welcome Vineyard Amsterdam (August 2008)

2008-04-07T16:45:00.002+02:00

May God Bless your mission & Church planting!

Vineyard 25th Anniversary Video

2008-04-07T10:05:00.002+02:00

Vineyard USA 25th Anniversary from Vineyard USA on Vimeo.

"If we are only concerned about saving people's souls, we are irrelevant" Bert Waggoneer

Easter echoes

2008-03-25T15:04:00.004+01:00

The most recent Easter Sermon by Bishop Wright was intendedly shocking. He made several points of denouncing unrighteousness. He highlighted the current debates on abortion, babies euthanasia, asylum seekers, and human-animal inter species genetic bending.

Peter’s message to Cornelius was that through his resurrection Jesus has been constituted as the judge of the living and the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of the final putting-to-rights of all things. In the light of the resurrection, the church must never stop reminding the world’s rulers and authorities that they themselves will be held to account, and that they must do justice and bring wise, healing order to God’s world ahead of that day.

Bishop Tom Wright "The uncomfortable truth of Easter" a sermon at the Sung Eucharist in Durham Cathedral Easter Day 2008

The Anglican Mainstream blog echoed Wright's words and further elaborated on the recent Dutch protocol on finishing the life of suffering or disabled babies, with the several scientific support obtained by the medical community. The Church should have a saying. We still believe that humans are made to bear God's image, and therefore human life should be preserved with all available efforts, not terminated as easily as possible.

“[W]e are moving toward a medical system,” says Smith, “in which babies are put down like dogs and killing is redefined as a caring act.” But this can happen only in a society that has forgotten that every human life is made in the image of God—and, therefore, worthy of protection. Think worldviews do not matter? Think our Christian heritage is irrelevant? Too bad we cannot ask the infants of Groningen what they think. Deadly Trend, by Chuck Colson 3/14/2008 The Infanticide Protocol

Furthermore, it makes me think of a global covenant with death. May the Truth of Easter bring true light to our paths!

Easter Sunday: He is risen!

2008-03-23T16:25:00.002+01:00

A message of hope in the "post" world (NT Wright)

2008-03-21T15:29:00.002+01:00

A very interesting "informal" meeting with Tom Wright, the Lord Bishop of Durham.

History and Resurrection

2008-03-19T11:27:00.005+01:00

I found interesting to bring the following historical account. It was written by a non-believer historian, who had probably another agenda. Flavius Josephus gives an objective tone for the celebration of Easter. Jesus was risen from being dead as the witnesses reported. Hence, Jesus was indeed the expected Jewish Messiah since he fulfilled the old prophecies about him. Moreover, Josephus reports that Jesus begun a new "tribe", the so called "Christians" that were still alive and are still alive today all over the world.

Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3)

I used the drawing "Resurrection" by Luc Freymanc (© Luc Freymanc 2001-2007) who allows specific free use for "Use on a non-commercial website or blog." Please visit Luc Freymanc drawings.

Holy Week 2008

2008-03-19T09:43:00.004+01:00

At the end of this week, specifically on Friday, our Church has organised a small gathering for the celebration of the Communion. I've gotten the responsibility to prepare some thoughts, maybe a meditation on the Last Supper (or maybe the First Kingdom Celebration). I guess that there are many places where it has been done already, so it would not be anything new. However, I'm not planning to simply surf on internet and cut-and-paste some nice thoughts, even if it is really tempting.

King Jesus is amazing. He left us a simple meal, bread and wine to celebrate his Kingdom, and to announce out loud that he is indeed coming back. Somehow the "already-not yet" tension is manifested in this meal. We join together with Jesus in the upper room, we join together with all those who through history have celebrated King Jesus in the same way, and we anticipate the consummation of times, when Jesus will appear for ever.

What is also more important is that as we celebrate communion, as we share the bread and the wine with each other, we declare that there's no more division between "Jews and Gentiles", for both have been inserted in Jesus, the true Vine. We proclaim that forgiveness of sins is available for all those who welcome King Jesus in their lives, and that are made co-heirs of the Kingdom.

The Supper is also a symbolic representation of the lifestyle of love. Love is not at all a simple feeling. It is a lifestyle that embraces the other, that campaigns for social righteousness, that actively engages in the preservation of our heritage (the Earth), that longs for the end of poverty and hunger. Actually, Jesus said that his disciples were going to be known because they loved each other in a way that would put the social systems upside down.

My question today and that probably will remain: how do we embody as Church this love-vocation?

I found the image here.

Mourning for the victims

2008-03-07T10:49:00.005+01:00

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." Matthew 5.38-48 (The Message)

From the Professor's point of view

2008-03-06T13:59:00.005+01:00

I was reading the weekly email from Medscape MedStudent, that arrived with an appealing title "Making Students Cry". I simply wanted to quote the last paragraph:

... (medical) students seem to be robust—frequently asking for feedback on their weaknesses and errors. However, I have come to realize that such robustness cannot be assumed and that when addressing a point of error, I need to remember that the person is always more important than the point.

The whole story goes on the fact that lecturers and teachers often don't consider the feelings of the student, dehumanizing the whole process of teaching and learning. I think that each individual has been through at least one unpleasant moment at school and/or university. Oral examinations for example. I still remember once a professor telling me "you don't have yet the maturity to be an engineer" and sending me obviously to second session. I had to spend all my holidays studying for that specific subject, that I've never used afterwards. Anyway, the experience in itself helped indeed in my own personal development and in the understanding of how relative things are. I could tell many other stories.

Church issues are often solved in similar ways. I guess that pastors create the same kind of "fear" in the congregation as professors create in the classroom. As the articles author said "actually I don't feel myself as threatening" but it does not mean that others actually do. Interestingly, addressing the other's feelings, as normally pastors should do, appeared to be the solution. I wonder if in Churches we could also think of some paradigm changes when addressing problems or pointing out mistakes.

May God show grace through His people.

Social Justice and the challenge for the Church

2008-03-05T14:22:00.005+01:00

As a simple observer, I've found that many of the younger people, particularly in the Belgian Church context, are very much interested in social justice, poverty, environment and so forth. Recently, I read a not so old article, that touches this issue, particularly the controversy between those focused on "saving souls" and those focused mainly on doing charity actions.

I would recommend Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright's excellent book "Evil and the Justice of God" to enrich and bring a refreshed view on what Christianity actually means. For some people, being Christian is all about where they go when dead (heaven or hell). With all respect, that particular view isn't really what the Bible tells about being a disciple of King Jesus. Although we've reached The End (eschatos) in Jesus, because of His resurrection, that gives us the guarantee of the way to follow, we have the vocation to embody Gods restorative program for the whole creation, advancing "new creation", in prayer and worship. We are called to live a different lifestyle, the lifestyle of eternity fueled by love in total honesty, holiness and truth.

Advancing the Kingdom means that there is still lots of work to be done here and now on earth. Creation is longing for the manifestation of the Sons of God. How long must creation wait? There is a need of the future breaking in the present to restore things, e.g. to correct injustice. The Church should confront the ugliness of the monsters (political and ruling human systems) that rise from the deep of the sea (far away from God's heart) with the beauty of the bride, the New Jerusalem, shining in glory because it comes directly from God's heart.

The challenge for the Church, the Body of Christ on earth, is to embody a different way of doing things and relating. The world should know that we are Jesus' disciples when we love each other. When we understand that the Cross made a way for forgiveness, for collaboration, for destruction of social inequalities, then we can confront the system and tell out loud: Jesus is actually King.

Copyright Note: The picture "Homeless Christ" is property of Deb Hoeffner Illustration, and has been used with permission.

St Valentine’s Day

2008-02-14T11:49:00.004+01:00

When I was growing up, the celebration of St Valentine's was simply unknown in my culture (you know, RC-latino). From time to time we would hear about such festivity happening mostly in the US, particularly through cartoons like Snoopy.

Personally I always considered the day of love to be September 21st, when spring sprouts in South America (of course) hahahahaha. Traditionally, we celebrated love and friendship that day, some parties, and it was over. There wasn't such effort to send cards, sms-messages, chocolates, flowers or stuff like that. But times change in this global village.

So, because everything seems to be Valentinized I tried to find something about the origins of this celebration. And fortunately, the Anglican Church as usual a recommendable source, provided the needed info, despite the heavy turmoils affecting it recently, but that's another story.

Today's prayers are introduced by the following text:

The Church’s commemoration of Valentine has nothing to do with lovers! It originated with two separate people, both called Valentine. Valentine of Terni was a 3rd century bishop who was martyred at Rome in 273. Valentine of Rome was a priest who was also martyred for his faith in the mid 3rd century. It is likely that these two stories became confused over time, with the two martyrdoms becoming in effect one commemoration.

The present-day custom of sending cards and flowers declaring love may owe its existence to John Donne who wrote a marriage song for Princess Elizabeth’s marriage to Frederick V, Elector Palatine on St Valentine’s Day in 1632. Donne’s marriage song merged the religious commemoration of Valentine with fertility symbolism.

Adapted from John Darch and Stuart Burns Saints on Earth (Church House Publishing, 2004)

Anyway, it seems that the true celebration is the commemoration of faithful men who gave their lives for their faith. Therefore, if you wish "Happy Valentine" to anybody, think of what it truly means. I wish my readers to be inspired by these two Velentines, so that you may be strengthened in your faith in Jesus Christ.

I want also to cite the first prayer of the day as a blessing for the reader:

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR LOVE

Lord God, we thank you that through our earthly lives
you speak of your eternal life.
We rejoice in the wonder of creation,
the gift of life, the joy of love,
and the many blessings that our relationships bring.
Renew in us the fruits of your Holy Spirit;
that we may know your love, joy and peace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from New Patterns for Worship

Maria Fernanda in Gent by Night

2008-01-15T14:02:00.001+01:00

Well, the weekend was fun with my niece Maria Fernanda visiting. Saturday, after walking the whole day in Brugge and Gent, we went out with some of my friends. I was very proud to hear my niece speaking German so fluently with them. We went to have a drink at Mosquito Coast, a pub specialized on attracting tourists or people who loves travelling.

Hereunder the pictorial evidence!

MariFer and Bianka

Armando and Wim

Lynn and Marifer

Last but not least, an amazing view by night of the Towers of Gent.

Maria Fernanda in Belgium

2008-01-14T20:48:00.001+01:00

In Brugge (1)

In Brugge (2)

In front of the Royal Palace in Brussels

Beautiful picture illuminated by the sunset in Ghent

Navidad donde los Impens

2008-01-14T20:42:00.001+01:00

Gert, Sensi, Junior, Evelyn y yo.

Christmas Eve's pictures

2008-01-05T10:29:00.000+01:00

Thanks to the hospitality of Anna, a group of friends came together on Christma's Eve. It was a very cosy and nice time, with a delicious homemade chocolate mousse, playing cards and above all enjoying the time. Thanks Anna! Hereunder some of the pictures:

Anna (our kind host) with Bart.

Koen

Heleen from The Netherlands (Dutch Bible belt area)

Group picture: from left to right Bart, Koen, Heleen, Anna and me.

The guys surrounded by the girls

Finally making some strange faces. I almost didn't make it to the picture.

Hunger for worship!

2008-01-03T13:26:00.000+01:00

A very good interview to Bishop NT Wright, by the Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies on Worship of course!

Addictions - New Year's intentions

2007-12-26T15:12:00.000+01:00

Found this hilarious video on youtube. Replace the addictive agent with anything else and it makes lots of sense!

Season's greetings

2007-12-22T22:23:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas and a blessed 2008!

Armando

I'm not alone (Natalie Grant)

2007-12-15T23:19:00.000+01:00

Potter - Pottenbakker

2007-11-28T23:30:00.000+01:00

The Dutch version: Pottenbakker

The English version Potter

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful savior
I know for sure all of my days are held in your hands
Crafted into your perfect plans

You gently called me into your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life
Through your eyes

I'm captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter's hand

You gently call me into your presence
Guiding me by your holy spirit
Teach me dear lord to live all of my life through your eyes

I'm captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Total eclipse of the heart (Bonnie Tyler)

2007-11-24T20:31:00.000+01:00

Romantic song of the 80's that made me think of my adolescent years. Enjoy!

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (Bonnie Tyler )

Turnaround, every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming around
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart

Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit restless and I dream of something wild
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit helpless and I'm lying like a child in your arms
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit angry and I know I've got to get out and cry
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit terrified but then I see the look in your eyes
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

Turnaround bright eyes
Turnaround bright eyes

Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

Radical Christianity

2007-11-18T15:07:00.000+01:00

Worth to see the full video!

My nerd score

2007-11-12T23:01:00.000+01:00

Another funny test i've found.

34% scored higher (more nerdy),
1% scored the same, and
65% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:
Low Ranking Nerd. Definitely a nerd but low on the totem pole of nerds.

LOL

My inner European

2007-11-07T10:57:00.000+01:00

Toda I visited The Van Der Galien Gazette, and I did the quiz of who is your inner European. Hereunder my results.

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated.
You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

Who's Your Inner European?

Fun quiz, give it a try! It's full of clichés ...

Unbelievable

2007-11-05T21:29:00.000+01:00

This is what I referred to in my previous post. Shame.

The Evangelical Crackup

2007-11-05T16:16:00.000+01:00

Yesterday i went to watch the film "Jesus Camp". And I was very much impressed of the political content of it. It's already known that most US Evangelicals are skewed to the right in politics, but it was shocking to see how can they exaggerate and become non-biblical in their practices. When they brought a body size image of the US President to a prayer meeting, i felt like the times when people had to worship the images of the Roman Emperors! The sad part is that the label -and its implications- affects to all of us outside the US, who are proudly spiritual descendants of the Reformation.

However, there seems to be hope. In a New York Times article, the authors discuss objectively the shortcomings of the Christian right, and at the same time highlight that the younger generation of leaders are taking things with a renewed and probably more biblical approach. The following extract exemplifies the former statement:

Meanwhile, a younger generation of evangelical pastors — including the widely emulated preachers Rick Warren and Bill Hybels — are pushing the movement and its theology in new directions. There are many related ways to characterize the split: a push to better this world as well as save eternal souls; a focus on the spiritual growth that follows conversion rather than the yes-or-no moment of salvation; a renewed attention to Jesus’ teachings about social justice as well as about personal or sexual morality. However conceived, though, the result is a new interest in public policies that address problems of peace, health and poverty — problems, unlike abortion and same-sex marriage, where left and right compete to present the best answers.

Amazing Grace

2007-11-01T22:13:00.000+01:00

Recuerdos/Memories

2007-10-31T23:12:00.000+01:00

Some of these Christian songs are part of my early days as believer. I thought that they were appropriate to celebrate the Reformation Day.

Happy Reformation Day

2007-10-31T22:02:00.000+01:00

On October 31st 1517, 490 y ago, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses at the door of the Cathedarl in Wittemberg, Germany. Church doors functioned as bulletin boards in that period of history. These theses were an answer to the controversial selling of indulgences by the Roman curia to build the Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. This action has been considered as the igniting of the Reformation. Later on, Martin Luther translated the Bible to German language, and blessed eventually the whole Western World with the access to the Word of God in lay language. He changed the history of the Western World.

More weekend pictures

2007-10-30T09:36:00.000+01:00

Actions for Belgium's Unity: May God bless Belgium

2007-10-29T14:00:00.000+01:00

So far, I'm aware of two sites that are gathering signatures for the Unity of Belgium and the fast formation of a new government.

One is "Red de solidariteit" an the other is found at lapetition.be

Click either on the button or the links above, as you prefer, and sign in favor of this Country. May God bless Belgium!

Alalay's volunteers in Belgium

2007-10-28T23:27:00.000+01:00

Alalay is an organization working with street children in Bolivia, and they recently appointed a representative in Spain. Since two of La Paz staff, Ximena and Jonathan, are doing a stage at De Hoop in the Netherlands, there was an opportunity to meet with the Madrid representative, Daniel, and some former volunteers from Belgium and Spain in Belgium. The group picture was taken at Sint Baafs Cathedral.

Belgium united!

2007-10-27T21:34:00.000+02:00

1 Timothy 2 (NIV)
Instructions on Worship
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

A scientist and a believer

2007-10-27T21:16:00.000+02:00

Vineyard Benelux leaders retreat

2007-10-22T16:32:00.000+02:00

Short video of the afternoon's worship time at the Vineyard Office in Utrecht on 22/09/2007. It's simply a very nice souvenir.

Christian inspiration

2007-10-18T11:28:00.000+02:00

I wonder, when in history the gospel of King Jesus stopped of being preached as a radical message ... Today reading a blog in Spanish, a Christian singer and pastor, Marco Barrientos, challenges the believers not to fear fellowship with non believers, who desperately need Jesus. According to Marcos Barrientos, we should not be afraid to be the light of the World. The full interview here.

Reformation heritage

2007-10-17T11:29:00.000+02:00

Reformation Heritage

Fathers of the Reformation

Receive the challenge of their lives!

490 Years of the Reformation

2007-10-15T15:42:00.000+02:00

Since on October 31st we commemorate the 490th anniversary of the day when Martin Luther boldly presented his 95 Thesis in Wittemberg, as a disputation on the power and efficacy of indulgences, i thought it would be appropriate to devote some posts to the roots of my Evangelical Faith. The film itself is worth of being seen.

Being raised as roman catholic, all the story of the Reformation and the price that was paid by my predecessors in the faith was unknown. I converted to Christianity at the age of 14y, by grace through faith, as one of the results of the faith of the Reformers. Their faith yielded in me having the option to meet Jesus in a personal way, to read freely the Word of God in my own language, and to worship God together with others all over the world. I'm really in debt to men like Martin Luther, John Calvin or Casidoro da Reina, who devoted their lives to serve Jesus in difficult times and in the midst of a pagan world. Not so different by the way to our world today!

Primos de visita!

2007-10-10T11:04:00.000+02:00

Con Sergio y Monica en el Prinzenhof de Gante, cerca de Rabot.

En Korenlei, en el centro de Gante.

Finalmente, en mi casa en Drongen, casi de despedida.

Create in me a clean heart (Keith Green)

2007-10-08T14:01:00.000+02:00

Create In Me A Clean Heart
(From the compilation album Your Love Broke Through)

Create in me a clean heart oh God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart oh God,
And renew a right spirit within me.

And cast me not away from Thy presence oh Lord,
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.

Written by Keith Green ©Sparrow Records

(Martin Smith sung this track on the Keith Green tribute album Your Love Broke Through, released in the USA in January 2002. The other members of Delirious? did not appear on the track.)

Click here to go to the source of the text

The role of Jesus in History 2 (Bishop NT Wright)

2007-10-02T14:26:00.000+02:00

The role of Jesus in History 1 (Bishop NT Wright)

2007-10-02T14:25:00.001+02:00

Beautiful one! (Jermey Camp)

2007-10-02T12:23:00.000+02:00

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are.

CHORUS
Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

Powerful so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see
The beauty of your majesty
Awakes my heart to see
How marvelous how wonderful you are.

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.
Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you
You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you are.

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.
Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

And you opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as you are.

Excellent study on Christian spirituality vs misticism

2007-09-25T15:06:00.000+02:00

My friend David posted yesterday on our Church's forum, a very good reflection on what is Christian spirituality in the days of a resurgence of mysticism. It's definitively worth to read!

In the days when believing in the Bible is out-of-date, David brings a very good insight from a Christ centered point of view.