What is Love Anyway?

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I was excited to talk with Roger about  a small soccer academy for teenage boys from the township of Jim se Bos which was just started.  The academy includes classes, soccer instruction and discussions about Biblical themes. With Valentines’ Day approaching the boys were asked to define love. Their reply was uncontrollable giggling.  These teens associated love as romance with the opposite sex, which isn’t surprising as most of them grew up in environments where “true love” wasn’t modeled.

Lately I’ve been around high school students on campus and apart of a few chapels. It is evident that so many are looking for love and acceptance. After one chapel a young man, several inches taller,  asked if he could give me a hug. I appreciated his bravery and in reality probably several others needed a hug as well.

So what is love anyway? Why do we need it?  As Valentine’s Day just passed we recall the flood of advertisements alerting us that love is flowers, chocolates, or a nice dinner.  But what does love look like when the roses dry up and the chocolate and delicious food is consumed? If love was just about giving these gifts each day we would all be broke and overweight!

We all desire love because that’s how we were created.  Though a romantic relationship, authentic friendship, and an amazing family may be good things, yet each are incapable of filling the chasm deep within our hearts. Ultimately love flows from the Triune God who created us in His very image. An image shaped to receive and give love away- exemplified by the love between God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Sadly the hole in our hearts resulted since we chose to walk away from the fount of love and instead drink from the dirty, self-dug springs which dehydrate. Thankfully the Father never stopped loving us and had a plan that in His perfect time He would give His one and only Son to show us what love really is and that love welcomes us to float in the River of His love.

Over the years I’ve officiated many weddings and often a message on the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is requested. Indeed a great passage that describes love. But the words in and of themselves are powerless, in order to live love out in your marriage you need to know the person. That being the case I retranslate the text this way:

“Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind, Jesus does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud, He is never rude. He is not self seeking. He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails…” (vs. 4-8)

Love = Jesus and Jesus = Love. The Father knew that the only way we would really understand love and receive it was through Jesus walking on this earth and continuing to walk all the way to the cross. When we spend more of our time focussing on Jesus, contemplating and receiving His gift of love-something begins to change within us. The chasm starts filling up and a passion to return His love surfaces!

And somehow as we receive that love, His Spirit removes the misconceptions of love, pushes us out of our comfort zone, and miraculously start loving like Jesus, even though a few holes may remain. As we seek more patience and kindness, to be less envious and selfish, and to be more giving, forgiving, and hopeful, we develop a desire to point others to the love of Jesus. A forever love that will never let us go.

If you are thirsty for love today spend some time with Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and ears to encounter the one who defines love. Soak in His perfect love for you and share it with another and see what will happen to your heart.

Slice of Life: Laundry and Lives Changed

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Written by Patty Spykstra

After several days of battling the stomach flu, and eating crackers I was happy to be mostly back to normal. With students on campus during the week, Saturday was laundry day. I found myself singing as I carried the basket of wet clothes to the laundry line, always finding pleasure in pinning the clean items to dry in the bright sunshine! 

In the afternoon Tim attended his first professional rugby game, the Stormers versus the Bulls which included a half time competition of racing dinosaur mascots!! I met friend Thobeka to cheer on her grandson playing in a grade 9 cricket match. It was a great change of pace day! 

On Sunday the wind and sunshine that made the blankets I had washed so fresh and clean returned. Tim and I walked to Fish Hoek beach with a bowl of fruit to join Pastor Raymond and Pamela. This was a special day with OceanView and Jim se Bos churches witnessing over 15 baptisms. Transportation was arranged for people from the townships to spend the morning at the beach. The excitement was tangible. The Holy Spirit was ever present. The singing, the joy, the kids playing in the sand, the beach goers walking by, from babies and 84 year old “Ma” we all gathered together!

I’m not sure if it was because I was recovering from being sick or because I knew the names and stories of a few being baptized, but my senses were acutely aware and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as if in a dream. Tim, Pastor Raymond and Mandy shared some words and Scripture directed to those being baptized. Then the group proceeded into the rhythmic crashing waves. Present were several Muslim gangsters, a young adult who had lost sight in one eye, and people of all ages seeking to be found and loved by THE heavenly Father. Each going under the water with their sin and shortcomings and then emerging from the Atlantic Ocean with arms raised up to Jesus, the ONE who makes all things new.

As sandwiches, fruit and drinks were handed out two moms asked Pastor Raymond about dedicating their children to the Lord. It was a beautiful spontaneous moment as Pastor Raymond motioned for Pamela, Tim and myself to pray. The 19 year old mom held her toddler daughter up to the Lord with quiet tears. The other child dedicated, a boy about 5 years old, looked up and saw birds flying in formation. With great excitement he pointed it out for all to see. It was a holy moment. Pamela defined it well, “It was as if a circle, a whirlpool of His love was surrounding us all on this very beach.” 

Time stood still. No one wanted to leave. However it  was now time for children to shower off. It was time to return to shacks. To return to the clamor and return to those waking up from hangovers. Yet each person returned with a full stomach and full heart! 

As the bus departed and we returned to the safety of our flat with water, electricity, and ample provision-I prayed for the woman who had hoped to be baptized, but instead was beaten by her boyfriend and too badly bruised to come. I believe in my heart The Father saw her and the loving arms of Jesus wrapped her in a fresh blanket blown by the One who created the wind and sun, by the One who makes all things new.  

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord: yes, I will remember the miracles of long ago. I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.”  Psalm 77: 11,12 

Perhaps take a moment to pause, to meditate, to take a deep breath. Then take a moment to recall the Lord’s works in the ordinary and in the supernatural. 

Troublemaker!

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Have you ever been labeled a troublemaker? Someone who caused disruption and maybe chaos at school, home, work or in society. I’m sure back in elementary school there were a few teachers and my principal, now my father in-law, who could have checked that box for me.

But is it always a bad thing being a troublemaker? The other week I was reading about one of my favorite characters in the Bible, Elijah. He was raised up during a dark time in the history of Israel to be the mouthpiece of God. Wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal over the God who lovingly saved Israel out of Egypt and who blessed them as His very own people.

When Elijah confronts Ahab in person, Ahab shouts out, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” I Kings. 18:17.  As I read that verse paused and thought about how that really was a compliment. Elijah was coming to shake up what had become the status quo in Israel. He was coming to awaken Israel from the demonic lies of the enemy that was controlling them.

Close observation of many God followers in the Bible indicate they too could be labeled as troublemakers. As they walked against the dark powers and  in the light of God’s Spirit, challenging  the strongholds of a sin controlled culture. The greatest trouble maker of all time is Jesus Himself. He caused trouble for the right, left and everything in between. He both physically and spiritually turned the tables upside down to make room for a new way of living. Everyone who has Jesus’ spiritual DNA in them will follow in His troublemaking steps. Read the book of Acts, those disciples turned the world upside down with the trouble they caused by following a new King and living for His Kingdom.

The other day I  was sharing a cup of coffee with a Jesus filled troublemaker. As we were talking I thought about all the trouble he has gotten into in the last six months because He followed His Heavenly Father in faith. Six months ago he said yes to  the Spirit’s leading and left a secure, comfortable job, filled with great benefits and a promising future. He walked into an unknown future with no security blanket, and he continues to remind me he has no plan B if this doesn’t work out.

Bryan’s first week as principal of a new Christian High School starting on the Oceans Campus upset the spiritual realm over our city. Our area experienced a once in a century storm that week which flooded the campus, causing major leaks in the roof, and resulted in many sleepless nights. Then an email  was received from a city group informing us of upset neighbors with the extra traffic in the neighborhood. The list could go on and on of the other battles and obstacles which were faced in those first few months of establishing the Christian High School.

But as we sipped our coffee I couldn’t help but praise God for my friend and all the trouble his faith has gotten him into. As we went over the need to hire more teachers because of all the new students,  90 plus and a waiting list. We are so thankful for the many prayers and ask you to continue to  lift up these students who are learning in an atmosphere bathed in prayer. May the Holy Spirit invade the hearts and minds of these students, not only for today but also for the future impact they  will have in our area and the country of South Africa. Bryan’s troublemaking faith has upset the darkness for sure, yet God’s faithfulness has overshadowed it all with miracles that shout out His glory.

I dare say our world needs more of these God-fearing troublemakers. May Abba Father give us the Spirit of Jesus to walk out in faith and follow His call wherever He may lead.

Lamenting with the Spirit

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While in the States my wife Patty and I watched a service online of a church we attended before moving to South Africa.  The head pastor led the congregation through a time of grieving for a beloved pastor who served for 20 years in the church and had recently passed away. It was devastating to watch.

This pastor was in his fifties and had walked through a dark season of the soul, experiencing physical and mental issues. The head pastor was not at liberty to say how his pastor friend had died-but there were many unanswered questions.  How does a church recover from such a painful loss of one of their spiritual leaders? The wise pastor leading the service stepped right into the pain, anger, whys, and deep grief, with what the Bible calls “lament.”

In the Bibles prayer book the Psalms, there are at least 65 Psalms of lament. These are songs and prayers of asking God why are these bad things happening? How could He a loving God allow them, where is He in all this chaos, and would He please act in the midst of such deep darkness.

We live in a world marred with pain and suffering where even “creation groans” knowing this was not how it was created to be (Rom. 8:22).  Cancer and all forms of disease, divorce, broken relationships, injustice, natural disasters, fires, covid, wars, poverty, sexual abuse, mental illness, unexpected deaths, persecution, are just a few of the reasons to lament.

A few days after listening to the pastor lead his congregation through this season of lamenting I was studying Romans 8, reading from NT Wright who pointed out how the Holy Spirit comes along side our spirits and He groans with us over things we don’t understand. The Holy Spirit takes the groans which are to0 deep for words and turns them into prayers before the Father (Rom. 8:26-27).

These groans or laments find their way to the heart of our loving Father who is deeply moved by them. These laments and groans are also depicted by His own Son Jesus who prayed a lament from Psalm 22 calling out from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me…”  The Father heard the cry of His Son, whom He deeply loved for all eternity, and this lament was answered 3 days later at the Resurrection, where all the wrongs were made right and a new day of hope dawned for all who are in Christ.

When we groan out the prayers of lament through the Holy Spirit t something mystical occurs. We for one share in the suffering of Christ which moves the heart of the Father and His promise is that a day is coming where “In everything God works for good with those who love Him,” (Rom. 8:28, RSV).

Being back in South Africa it is easy for us to get overwhelmed by the countless needs and suffering of those around us. We help the best we can but it always feels like it is just a drop in the bucket. Yet God’s Word reminds me in the midst of all the wrongs, pain, and suffering I can join in with the Spirit of Jesus and bring my laments to the Father who promises to act and work with my prayers to bring about a Good Love, that will never be overcome by evil, as stated in the glorious end of Romans 8.

Our Savior Jesus demonstrated to us how His lament led to Resurrection Love that made Him King, a King who reversed the curse of sin and death for all who put their hope in Him. A resurrection day is coming for all His beloved children!

As followers of Christ we have the opportunity to take our suffering as well as the suffering of others and lament with the Holy Spirit in us. We are invited to bring these groans and laments to a loving Father who will act because of His glorious resurrection power and one day will make all wrongs right.

 

 

New Beginnings

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Written by Mike Verkaik

Today I am transcribing a celebration story of a renewed life in Christ. Rejoice with us as you read the transformation, spoken through a surrendered life, by our Father who proclaims in Joel 2:13:

“Tearing your clothes is not enough to show you are sad; let your heart be broken. Come back to the Lord your God, because he is kind and shows mercy. He doesn’t become angry quickly, and he has great love.”

Clark is a former resident at the motel. He and his family, wife Ashley and three young boys, arrived at the motel in 2021 after losing their business and house. Covid had a huge negative impact on their lives and he wore the signs of anger and bitterness on his sleeve.

Over the next six months Clark and I had many conversations standing outside of his room, or at the restaurant next store. Clark grew up in the same denomination as I did and was well versed in scripture and theology. Many of our dialogues were seasoned with memories of his former church life, however, he was far away from that place at the current time. Ramifications of life choices and resentment towards his circumstances, overshadowed the beliefs of his past and hardened his heart.

Clark’s anger and fight mentally eventually led to a physical altercation with the owner and eviction from the motel. We kept in touch for a while after the incident, but as time passed our communication became less frequent until a few months ago when I received a text asking to meet for lunch. The encouraging lunch conversation was an honor to participate in. It included his testimony, a fresh story of the Father meeting His son in the midst of his brokenness, sin and shame and overflowing him with His love, mercy, grace and peace.

Listen to the words of a man full of peace who has been redeemed:

Mike, there was a time in my life when I was a real player with a temper. In fact, as you know, I was a loose cannon, but I’m not that guy anymore. I am at a point in my life where I have incredible peace. It doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t attacking my peace or marriage anymore. Old friends are trying to throw my past in my face and sabotage my decision, but I’m not that guy anymore. I know that God knocked me down so the only place I could look is up, and I am seeking God’s heart now. The cool thing is that even my son has noticed a change in me and has commented, “Dad you are really different since you gave your life back to God”.

Things have certainly changed for the better from those days at the motel. Tell all the volunteers to keep loving on those people who maybe don’t know how to love themselves. Keep in mind that you might be the only Bible, or only church that someone ever experiences. We’ll meet again, but for now, I need to grow, and develop this life further. Also we found a local church that is going to be starting Awana on Wednesday nights, in a couple weeks, and Ashley is working to get every Wednesday off from work. It has an adults Bible program to attend while the children attend Awana. We’ve been praying for something like this. So have we Clark!

Clark’s testimony reminds me of a similar story of, as the Bible quotes, A woman in that town who lived a sinful life (Luke 7:36). Like Clark, it must of have been quite the reputation for her to break while living in a small town. The only way for them, and us, to have a breakthrough is to fully understand and accept these words of Jesus in Luke 7:48 – Your sins are forgiven. These beautiful words usher in new beginnings, encourage change, and bring life giving peace.

Jesus said to the woman, “Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50).

**Names have been changed**