It's a year since I last blogged. My son, who blogs and tweets as part of his job, is sorrowfully critical of my incapacity to find time or material. One needs to open Blog and Twitter accounts for a purpose, and I realise that I only did so because it seemed the adult thing to do when running a ministry. Running the ministry is actually easier than blogging and tweeting, and beyond the ministry I have other duties to perform, so blogging and tweeting are low down on my list of priorities.
The other problem is what I would call the "modesty factor". In order to be confident enough to blog and tweet regularly, one has to be absolutely certain that one's utterances will be of interest to others, and not just be words spewed out for the sake of being read and noticed. That's what holds me back. My son says I should re-tweet other people's tweets or utterances, but I don't actually know how to do it. Usually I don't have time, anyway, to decide which segment is worthy of being disseminated. I tend to read articles and long emails in the quiet of the evening, by which time I'm perilously close to dozing, and wouldn't have the inspiration to mark out tweets for onward transmission. I tend to speed-read, anyway.
It's struggles like these which mark us, the non-technological generation, from our offspring, who often seem to have absorbed, as if by osmosis, knowledge and techniques which seem completely baffling to us. The thing is, we don't always feel we need this knowledge in order to potter along on our PCs or laptops, whereas it appears to be essential for our children to grasp the complexities of networking in order that they can live, and move and have their being. In a short time I have progressed to buying a tablet (which, mini though it is, I just love), and with swipe-screen now no longer so terrifying, a new smart- phone. I didn't need the tablet, but I did need the phone, since my darling old Nokia was dying by inches. Nevertheless, this advent into my life of not one, but two, modern pieces of equipment feels like real progress. I'm still not opening a Facebook account, though.
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Sunday 1 January 2012
Tempus Fugit
Whoops! Not being very techy-minded, (that's "tech-y", not "tetchy"), I seem to forget things like: updating website (done), updating blog (currently being done), and tweeting (nothing much to say, so probably won't be done). Tweeting is, in any case, an acquired skill if you find it difficult to stay within the wordage limit. My essays at school regularly came back marked "Too concise", yet I find it so difficult to limit what I want to say to a few terse words. Blogs are better.
The year, ministry-wise, has been busy - the two-yearly visit to Rwanda, Israel Evening at church, where we learned more about God's purposes for Israel, prayed, and welcomed additional Jewish visitors; then there was the "Jealous for Zion" Day Conference, several Passover suppers (including one at our own church), and many Thursday night teachings.
2012 will hopefully find us getting out a bit - visiting synagogues, the Jewish Museum, and following in the literal footsteps of the Jewish immigrants of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, as they disembarked from Victoria Station and made their slow progress up the prosperity ladder through Cheetham Hill to Higher Broughton. This Jewish Heritage Trail (coming up in the summer) is always a favourite with me, because my family did just that in the 1860s.
Oh yes, family. There have been a few health issues this year just gone, but I'm invoking Psalm 103, believing that God will renew our youth. Since growing old and stiff is no fun, the Psalm 103 option sounds better to me.
Have a happy and healthy New Year.
The year, ministry-wise, has been busy - the two-yearly visit to Rwanda, Israel Evening at church, where we learned more about God's purposes for Israel, prayed, and welcomed additional Jewish visitors; then there was the "Jealous for Zion" Day Conference, several Passover suppers (including one at our own church), and many Thursday night teachings.
2012 will hopefully find us getting out a bit - visiting synagogues, the Jewish Museum, and following in the literal footsteps of the Jewish immigrants of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, as they disembarked from Victoria Station and made their slow progress up the prosperity ladder through Cheetham Hill to Higher Broughton. This Jewish Heritage Trail (coming up in the summer) is always a favourite with me, because my family did just that in the 1860s.
Oh yes, family. There have been a few health issues this year just gone, but I'm invoking Psalm 103, believing that God will renew our youth. Since growing old and stiff is no fun, the Psalm 103 option sounds better to me.
Have a happy and healthy New Year.
Friday 28 January 2011
Dastardly Deeds in Rwanda
It's been often said that the Church does itself no favours when it is seen to be riven with in-fighting. How true this is, and how difficult to explain to non-Christians that Christians are flesh and blood, and do not always behave as they should. This is not God's fault - He's certainly not pleased with us when we misbehave.
I've just come back from Rwanda (see my November blog), where I went to teach at Pastor Eneas Nsengiyumva's church. Eneas is leader of the Methodist Church in Rwanda, pastor of the church in Kigali, the capital city. Since the genocide in 1994, the authorities have been nervous of assemblies and organisations which are not registered with them. Even the churches have to have Legal Representatives, and in Rwanda Eneas is it.
Just before I set out, I was regaled by a pastor I had met and liked during a previous visit with details of Eneas' misdemeanours and with the information that he had been dismissed by a church assembly. Would I now kindly deal with the new Legal Representative and his colleague.
The new LR was non other than the pastor I had met and liked. "How could this be," I asked, "when you and Eneas were such good friends?" "Ah, "said the pastor, "he has gone bad." This pastor also obligingly sent me a link to a Rwandan newspaper which displayed a photograph of the "assembly" and a full-blown account of Eneas' many crimes, for which, the newspaper said, he was being prosecuted.
Great! Here I am about to commit a week to this villain in clergyman's clothing, and now I learn that, despite my high opinion of his integrity, he is a common criminal. Asked to explain himself, Eneas merely said the authorities would not listen to lies. A fellow pastor confirmed that the two disseminators of this lurid story wanted to take over the leadership of the Church, and were not to be trusted. So, with not a little trepidation, I left for Rwanda.
Now I don't think this sort of "heist" could be pulled off in the British Methodist Church, but in Rwanda, where there is no such thing as an investigative journalist, you pay the media to publish a story. Joseph (for that is the name of the pastor I had met and liked) and his sidekick Ildaphonse, who had put him up to it, had paid something like $2000 to the Rwandan TV news and the newspaper to publish this spurious story. The "assembly" he had called mysteriously included among its delegates some poor people from Eneas' own congregation, who were glad of the bribe money. The "dismissal" of Eneas and the "promotion" of Joseph were pure illusion, designed to draw funding and NGOs to the latter. The expectation was that ministries such as mine, and others who didn't understand Rwandan church politics, would simply fall into line with Joseph's so-called take-over of the Church, and cut Eneas out. However, I have seen the official documents which prove that Eneas is still very much in control, and Joseph is yesterday's man. Believe it or not, having failed to stop me seeing Eneas during my visit, he is now writing to me (or, at least, his sidekick, who can write in English), is writing to me, pretending to be Eneas with a new email address. Unfortunately, the real Eneas wrote to me with his usual email address just after the "false Eneas".
This is like something out of a poor man's James Bond. The pity of it is, it damages the Church and Christians in general in the eyes of the world, and given that it's becoming increasingly difficult for Christians to have a voice in the world, it's something we could do without.
It's fortunate that we have a big God who knows the truth about His people, good or bad. He's the ultimate judge, and that's good enough for me.
I've just come back from Rwanda (see my November blog), where I went to teach at Pastor Eneas Nsengiyumva's church. Eneas is leader of the Methodist Church in Rwanda, pastor of the church in Kigali, the capital city. Since the genocide in 1994, the authorities have been nervous of assemblies and organisations which are not registered with them. Even the churches have to have Legal Representatives, and in Rwanda Eneas is it.
Just before I set out, I was regaled by a pastor I had met and liked during a previous visit with details of Eneas' misdemeanours and with the information that he had been dismissed by a church assembly. Would I now kindly deal with the new Legal Representative and his colleague.
The new LR was non other than the pastor I had met and liked. "How could this be," I asked, "when you and Eneas were such good friends?" "Ah, "said the pastor, "he has gone bad." This pastor also obligingly sent me a link to a Rwandan newspaper which displayed a photograph of the "assembly" and a full-blown account of Eneas' many crimes, for which, the newspaper said, he was being prosecuted.
Great! Here I am about to commit a week to this villain in clergyman's clothing, and now I learn that, despite my high opinion of his integrity, he is a common criminal. Asked to explain himself, Eneas merely said the authorities would not listen to lies. A fellow pastor confirmed that the two disseminators of this lurid story wanted to take over the leadership of the Church, and were not to be trusted. So, with not a little trepidation, I left for Rwanda.
Now I don't think this sort of "heist" could be pulled off in the British Methodist Church, but in Rwanda, where there is no such thing as an investigative journalist, you pay the media to publish a story. Joseph (for that is the name of the pastor I had met and liked) and his sidekick Ildaphonse, who had put him up to it, had paid something like $2000 to the Rwandan TV news and the newspaper to publish this spurious story. The "assembly" he had called mysteriously included among its delegates some poor people from Eneas' own congregation, who were glad of the bribe money. The "dismissal" of Eneas and the "promotion" of Joseph were pure illusion, designed to draw funding and NGOs to the latter. The expectation was that ministries such as mine, and others who didn't understand Rwandan church politics, would simply fall into line with Joseph's so-called take-over of the Church, and cut Eneas out. However, I have seen the official documents which prove that Eneas is still very much in control, and Joseph is yesterday's man. Believe it or not, having failed to stop me seeing Eneas during my visit, he is now writing to me (or, at least, his sidekick, who can write in English), is writing to me, pretending to be Eneas with a new email address. Unfortunately, the real Eneas wrote to me with his usual email address just after the "false Eneas".
This is like something out of a poor man's James Bond. The pity of it is, it damages the Church and Christians in general in the eyes of the world, and given that it's becoming increasingly difficult for Christians to have a voice in the world, it's something we could do without.
It's fortunate that we have a big God who knows the truth about His people, good or bad. He's the ultimate judge, and that's good enough for me.
Thursday 25 November 2010
It's that time again
Yes, it's nearly Christmas, season of cheer, high spending, and hard work. It's sometimes difficult to stay focussed on what Christmas really means, so the nativity plays and carol services are essential.
The book's finished, and looks quite good. One or two parts of the overall design are a bit wonky, but I'll get it right next time. For all aspiring authors who, like me, haven't a hope of getting professionally published, Blurb is wonderful. Check out their website.
And, yes, there will be a next time. I've started the novel. That's all I'm prepared to say at the moment.
At church we recently had a fantastic evening, which we, the ministry, organised and hosted. We looked at the biblical dimension of God's covenant with Israel, and the Land, and we were privileged to have a guest speaker from the local Jewish community. The next such evening will, hopefully, be next Spring.
I'm currently preparing to make my third trip to Rwanda (in January) to teach at a church in Kigali. The pastor has planted several small churches this year, and is an inspirational man. I'm greatly looking forward to seeing him, his family, and his congregation again. It'll be nice to have a week in warmer climes, too.
May you have a blessed Christmas.
The book's finished, and looks quite good. One or two parts of the overall design are a bit wonky, but I'll get it right next time. For all aspiring authors who, like me, haven't a hope of getting professionally published, Blurb is wonderful. Check out their website.
And, yes, there will be a next time. I've started the novel. That's all I'm prepared to say at the moment.
At church we recently had a fantastic evening, which we, the ministry, organised and hosted. We looked at the biblical dimension of God's covenant with Israel, and the Land, and we were privileged to have a guest speaker from the local Jewish community. The next such evening will, hopefully, be next Spring.
I'm currently preparing to make my third trip to Rwanda (in January) to teach at a church in Kigali. The pastor has planted several small churches this year, and is an inspirational man. I'm greatly looking forward to seeing him, his family, and his congregation again. It'll be nice to have a week in warmer climes, too.
May you have a blessed Christmas.
Friday 1 October 2010
Time's short
Having just realised I haven't "blogged" since August, I'd better get on and say something.
The last few weeks have been pressured, as I juggle various projects, including the teaching material for Rwanda in January, the book, which is nearing completion, and preparation for various prayer meetings. Then there's the website to keep up to date - I could really do with a PA (unpaid, of course!). This sounds like a moan, but it's not. Better than vegetating and being bored.
Had a good few days in Dudley, the main reason for this being an Equipping Weekend at Revival Fires, but we also got some sight-seeing in. On the way back from Gloucestershire on the Thursday, in an otherwise clear blue sky, we saw an anvil cloud ahead, with lightning flickering inside it. Never seen anything like that before - no rain, couldn't hear thunder because of traffic noise, but when we got back to Dudley they said there'd been a thunder storm for several hours. We then heard one clap of thunder, then nothing more. Awesome sight, that cloud!
Off to London next weekend for a conference on Israel and the Church. Heard it advertised on Premier Christian Radio this morning, so I hope that draws extra people.
The last few weeks have been pressured, as I juggle various projects, including the teaching material for Rwanda in January, the book, which is nearing completion, and preparation for various prayer meetings. Then there's the website to keep up to date - I could really do with a PA (unpaid, of course!). This sounds like a moan, but it's not. Better than vegetating and being bored.
Had a good few days in Dudley, the main reason for this being an Equipping Weekend at Revival Fires, but we also got some sight-seeing in. On the way back from Gloucestershire on the Thursday, in an otherwise clear blue sky, we saw an anvil cloud ahead, with lightning flickering inside it. Never seen anything like that before - no rain, couldn't hear thunder because of traffic noise, but when we got back to Dudley they said there'd been a thunder storm for several hours. We then heard one clap of thunder, then nothing more. Awesome sight, that cloud!
Off to London next weekend for a conference on Israel and the Church. Heard it advertised on Premier Christian Radio this morning, so I hope that draws extra people.
Friday 27 August 2010
Today I read in the local newspaper the horrifying news that synagogues are to be provided with police posts during the High Holy Days. I know that the local rabbi lives in constant fear of attack, and it is not that long ago that mounted police accompanied worshippers on their way to another synagogue a few miles down the road.
Who are these people who threaten the safety of law-abiding Jewish people? The problem is that the identity of these figures is blurred in the general miasma of resurfacing antisemitism. This anti-biblical attitude towards the Jews has never gone away; certainly it was blunted by sympathy in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, but the Devil's resistance to God through His Chosen People, Israel, is still all too real. Satan has put into the mouths of men various reasons why the Jews should be destroyed, but he is apparently too stupid to realise that God will forever protect them. From a biblical perspective those who oppose Israel and the Jewish people should begin to realise this. I am not concerned with politics - that's a man-made thing. Israel as a political entity may arguably make mistakes, just like other nations fighting for their survival, but according to God's promises in the Bible, she will never be destroyed. How I wish other nations would latch on to this!
Who are these people who threaten the safety of law-abiding Jewish people? The problem is that the identity of these figures is blurred in the general miasma of resurfacing antisemitism. This anti-biblical attitude towards the Jews has never gone away; certainly it was blunted by sympathy in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, but the Devil's resistance to God through His Chosen People, Israel, is still all too real. Satan has put into the mouths of men various reasons why the Jews should be destroyed, but he is apparently too stupid to realise that God will forever protect them. From a biblical perspective those who oppose Israel and the Jewish people should begin to realise this. I am not concerned with politics - that's a man-made thing. Israel as a political entity may arguably make mistakes, just like other nations fighting for their survival, but according to God's promises in the Bible, she will never be destroyed. How I wish other nations would latch on to this!
Monday 2 August 2010
New Website
Yes, it's up and running! 'Tis a poor thing, but 'tis mine own.
Check it out on http://olivetreelifeorg.moonfruit.com, and please feel free to leave a message or an entry in the guest-book.
The photos have no captions yet, but will do eventually.
Thanks very much to everyone who contributed art-work and editorial skills.
Check it out on http://olivetreelifeorg.moonfruit.com, and please feel free to leave a message or an entry in the guest-book.
The photos have no captions yet, but will do eventually.
Thanks very much to everyone who contributed art-work and editorial skills.
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