It was made even moreso, because I do not consider my life in a vacuum, isolated from what is going on around me. I felt as part of my life experiences the conditions and events that took place around me, captured and held my attention and affected my mood, choices, decisions and general circumstances of life. So for me, 2009 was many tough years rolled into one. And the jury is out as to the implications for 2010.

But hear me, when a year like 2009 comes around it is not easy to predict what’s coming next. It offers at least 2 possible interpretations. On the one hand, you could look at it negatively and say based on how this ends its only going to continue on this downward spiral into the abyss. However, on the other hand you might say this is it. It can only go upward after this there is no further down.

I like the latter and so will remember with thanksgiving that God has brought us safely over. So you might have thought it was the end, and maybe whatever situation you are faced with  now you are thinking you’d rather not go on. But receive this assurance at the end of this year, and let it fill you with hope for the year to come.

Paul the apostle puts it like this in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9:

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Over the past year I’ve had my share of those difficulties of which Paul speaks. And guess what, I’m alive. I know I did not make it through 2009 by my own skill or power. God’s favour was upon me; and God’s power kept and continues to sustain me. I resolved to let each experience impart to me more of life’s wisdom. And I’m all the more stronger for them. So for me, I am looking forward to 2010 because I believe that 2009 was preparation for what is to come.

What about you? Do you share a similar hope for 2010 or have you hit rock bottom and feel like you can’t go on anymore? If you’ve made it this far to the end of the year, don’t let go. Here’s some more encouragement from the Kurt Kerr Singers:

May your heart be filled with hope and thanksgiving for the coming year.

Marvia

[Photo Courtesy of the WCC: Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit]

The World Council of Churches, after much deliberations, prayers and not a little bit of intrigue by the grace of God have been led to elected a new General Secretary. The Press Release conveying the joyous news out of Geneva, Switzerland. Many of us have been waiting since the start of the year, to learn who would follow on the heels of outgoing General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia. We look forward to renewed vision under the new leadership.

And so the story goes…

Norwegian theologian and pastor Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 48, was elected 7th general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursday 27 August during its Central Committee meeting. Tveit will be the youngest general secretary since Willem A. Visser ‘t Hooft who had led the WCC while it was in process of formation and following its founding assembly 61 years ago.

“This task I really feel is the call of God. I feel that we have a lot to do together”, said Tveit in his acceptance speech before the central committee. He stressed the spirit of unity that dominated the whole process and expressed hope that it will continue to reign in the common journey. Tveit encouraged the committee members to continue praying for him: “Please do not stop!”

Since 2002, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has been the general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. Tveit is a member of the WCC Faith and Order Plenary Commission and the board of directors and executive committee of the Christian Council of Norway.

Tveit was one of two candidates standing for election to the WCC’s highest administrative post. The other candidate was Rev. Dr Park Seong-won, a Presbyterian theologian from South Korea. Tveit will replace outgoing general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia who in February 2008 informed the Central Committee, the WCC’s highest governing body, that he would not seek a second term in office. Kobia has served as general secretary since 2004.

PRESS CONFERENCE:

A press conference with Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit will be held:

Friday, 28 August, 12:40 – 13:20 pm

at the Ecumenical Centre,

150 route de Ferney, Geneva, Visser ‘t Hooft Hall

Biographical information on Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit:

http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6908

Information on previous WCC general secretaries:

http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=4110

More information on the 26 August – 2 September 2009 Central Committee meeting:

http://www.oikoumene.org/cc2009

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

Let us keep the WCC in our prayers. And while you are at it, do check out their new website and send them some feedback.

Peace,
Marvia

In a worship service opening the “Churches against Racism” conference in Doorn, Netherlands, 14-17 June, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said the Bible was the “ultimate immigration handbook”.

Kobia asked Christians to apply the parable of the “good Samaritan” to the current context in which they live.

“It speaks to us in this week after virulently anti-immigrant parties made unprecedented gains in European elections”, he said. “This parable of Jesus calls us again to consider, ‘Who is my neighbour’ and how are we to live out that relationship? Christ calls us to be neighbours of immigrants, of oppressed minorities within our own nations, of all who are in need of a neighbour.”

The service was held to give thanks for the WCC Programme to Combat Racism. Launched 40 years ago the programme assisted the victims of racial discrimination in different parts of the world, most prominently in South Africa under the apartheid regime. Some fifty church leaders, activists and theologians are attending the international conference.

Expected outcomes of the conference are theologically founded strategies and networks to advocate against racism within society and the church. A message of commitment will be read during a closing worship service 17 June in the presence of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

The conference was organized by the WCC in cooperation with the Council of Churches in the Netherlands, the association of migrant churches in the Netherlands SKIN, the missionary and diaconal agency KerkinActie, the interchurch organization for development cooperation ICCO and the ecumenical advocacy group Oikos.

Get the full text of Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia’s sermon here.

Peace!

Preaching at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on 21 January, Watkins, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, said: “Even in these hard times, rich or poor, we can reach out to our neighbour, including our global neighbour, in generous hospitality, building together communities of possibility and of hope.”

In a 20 January letter to President Obama, representatives of WCC member churches in the United States, declared that they wanted to “roll up [their] sleeves and partner with [Obama] to help bring about the changes that are so desperately needed for the United States and the world to more closely reflect God’s vision for humankind and all of creation.”

WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia assured Watkins of the Council’s joy and pride over her role as preacher in the inaugural service. Watkins is the first woman to fulfill this responsibility in US history. With regard to domestic and international challenges that will have to be addressed by the new administration, he wrote in a 19 January letter: “Your prayers will be much needed.”

Watkins’ sermon took on a recent suggestion by Muslim scholars worldwide for love of God and love of neighbour as “common basis for building a world at peace”, explaining that the best way to express love of God “is by facing hard times with a generous spirit: by reaching out toward each other rather than turning our backs on each other.”

Download the full text of Rev. Dr Sharon Watkins’ sermon Harmonies Of Liberty here.

The above is a World Council of Churches – News Release.

And so say all of us…
Marvia

While some churches won’t even allow the word ‘sex’ to be used within their ‘holy walls’, it is good to hear of others who are helping Christians and congregations confront Pornography. Of course, the church is still in denial about this issue. Pornography? Oh no. We don’t have such sins in here. Yea right!

Last year, I undertook a month long Bible Study series for my congregation to deal with this issue. The youth were the most appreciative of the discussion. The adults struggled hard to cover their embarrassment. Many confessed that they do not normally talk about ‘such things’ in church. I can imagine they must have been a little bit scandalized by me. Thankfully, some younger mothers who were present were very happy for the information especially some of the tips they received on how to monitor what their children are doing on the Internet.

I recently learnt of a Christian DVD produced by Steve Siler (musician and director of Music For The Soul). Somebody’s Daughter is said to be about:

Three men and a husband and wife share their personal struggle with pornography confronting the lies and darkness of this addictive force with compelling honesty and hope.

I only read that it was out and liked the idea that the subject is receiving attention in church circles. Of course having not watched it yet, I can only hope that it is not a very myopic look at the issue. I am yet to be convinced that the church is comfortable talking about sexuality. Neither have we acknowledged our own double-standards that we entertain.

Who knows, we might one day be able to produce a DVD called ‘Somebody’s Son’. Men and under aged boys are involved in the porn industry too. But this is our hypocrisy you see. It is assumed that it is the nature of men and that only women are being exploited. The idea that people can become addicted to sex is a highly controversial issue. In some ways I agree that treating ‘sex addiction’ as a thing in itself without addressing deeper personality flaws and weaknesses is not a good idea.

This is a highly debatable issue.  Recently when X-Files star David Duchovny disclosed that he was a “sex addict” psychologists were split on the issue of whether or not there is such a thing called ‘sex addiction’. No manly man would ever see it as anything but natural for men to be overly interested in sex. And some women will not have men behave any other way. Statistics show that women are also addicted as well.

Watch this interview with David Siler reveal more statistics on porn addiction of Christian men and women.

Well I expect that the DVD will spark the kind of discussion that will cause our proper Christians to lose the blinkers and admit to what is taking place right in our churches.

But I’ll restrain myself from saying anything else until I see the movie.

Have you see the DVD? Do share your comments with us.

Peace,
Marvia

Most people love conspiracies. The truth is the more secretive and exclusive organizations are, the more speculations run rife. Moreover, these organizations also tend to attract investigative efforts such as that of Bruce Burgess,( an English filmmaker) and Rene Barnett (his American producer).

Just like Dan Brown in the Davinci Code, the documentary takes us into the connection between the Roman Catholic Church and the Opus Dei. And once again the intriguing story of the marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene surfaces again.

Jesus is also said to have fathered a child and that’s how the Bloodline story comes in. Moreover, even better than Dan Brown’s book and the movie The Last Temptation of Jesus, in this version a body is discovered! Now whose body is it?

Hmmm…wish I knew meself!

Anyway, the real question is. What if these stories are proven to be true? How many of you would lose your faith in Jesus Christ and no longer believe Jesus to be the Messiah? And what does it matter whether Jesus was married or not, how does that affect your faith? Tough questions. Do share your answers us with.

Keep your eyes out for the documentary coming to a theatre near you. In the meantime you may watch the movie trailer of Bloodline below

Peace,
Marvia