Pulling The Strands Together

Today is my last day in SA - I fly out stupidly early tomorrow morning. I mean, I am getting picked up at 5.30am to get to the airport. Who's stupid idea and bad planning is that!?

After the long haul flight of twelve hours, I should touch down about 6pm. Following the customs inquistion and drive home - I'm being picked up by my beautiful spiritual grandparents - I should be back home by 9 to 9.30pm. That's my day tomorrow.

Please pray for me that I a) don't get one of those annoying middle seats which are neither aisle seats, nor windows seats. My fat shoulders mean its very uncomfortable in those. Please also intercede on my behalf that I'm not sat between slurpy honeymoon couple, and loud earphones bad music man. Like last time. To be honest, that might be more motivated by jealousy at not being one or the other of those people though...

Yesterday I went to Steenbras to see some Greek friends. No-one quite does hospitality like the Greeks, and they truly spoiled me something rotten. I slept in a double bed which was bliss, and we spent the day chatting, rock climbing and octopus hunting in rock pools. This involves a six foot pole with a piece of chicken hooked on one end and tied. This is put into the water, in clefts of rock and hopefully the octopus will go for it. The pole is then violently removed, hooking said Occy out. He is then dumped on an exposed rock to die horribly. Which is better than him being sentient as he is later barbecued and consumed.

Unfortunately the octopi community weren't playing yesterday, and we didn't catch one. We nearly did get one guy, but the slippery sucker (see what i did there?) didn't quite get hooked. So he made his escape and refused to come out. Still, here are some random facts about octopi (the plural, don't you know) that you may or may not know. And may or may not know.

1. Octopi have the same intelligence level as a dog, without the moulting hair, smell or general licking idiocy.

2. Octopi don't have any kind of shell or skeleton - this enables them to squeeze themselves in stupidly absurd holes to hide.

3. They have beak very similar to a parrots beak, without the comedy words.

4. Octopi have three hearts, which pump blue blood around their freakishly entertaining bodies.

5. They can eject a thick blackish ink when threatened to mask their escape route. They can also change colour to camoflage with the environment

6. They are able to detach limbs to distract would be predators. This ability is also apparently used in mating, but I don't really want to think about that.

Anyway, read more about Octopi at Wikipedia, the most reliable unreliable information source there is. Photo's of the days tomfoolery are here:

Steenbras

Today I am going to pack - 10 mins I reckon - and go out for a farewell coffee with a couple of friends who I went to prison with. That previous sentence is quite funny. Anyway, I will conclude my South African sojourn by attending a small group meeting.

You'll be pleased to know that God has spoken to me about life direction. He has opened my eyes to many things whilst out here. He has healed me from things of the past, answered certain questions I had and shown me things that have given me cause to begin to ask new questions. It's safe to say SA has been life changing and life affecting. But for now, its back to reality. And the importance of applying all this in real life. But God has brought me this far, through some tough times, so He's not about to abandon me know.

I've been thinking about Psalm 23 a lot recently. Many of the Psalms often start by looking back to what God has done in the past, and the writer would use this to remind God of His promises and faithfulness for the present, and to stir faith for the future. This is why reading Christian biographies are important I think. The story of George Muller's faith exploits building a significant orphanage work in Bristol is utterly amazing. If you are in a place of needing faith, provision or guidance then I wholeheartedly recommend it. I find myself often putting the book down, laughing out loud at the ridiculous goodness of God.

But that shouldn't surprise me. After all, the Lord is my shepherd. And He is the Good Shepherd. When I look back over my life, I can see that's clearly, clearly true. And that excites me about what's next.

Currently listening to: Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Acoustic)

Nearly Home Time...

With my return home fast approaching, the last week has been a cramming in of all the touristy things I wanted to get done before it was too late. One night we went to Moyo, which is, according to the website, "an intricate fusion of African flavours, textures, sights, sounds and smells, creating the greatest feeling of all: expectation."

Nice.

It was a great evening, to be fair. Nowhere else in the world will I sit in a tent, wrapped in an African blanket (which was made in Taiwan, out of acrylic!) whilst watching a group of tribal drummers and dancers perform, as I dine on such things as antelope curry, springbok sausages and a ridiculous amount of vegetables. Which, needless to say, I ignored. Anyway, the photo's I took capture the moment far more than anything I could say:

Moyo

Yesterday I went to Cape Point Nature Reserve. Its the most Southern Westerly tip of Africa, and has a wide range of wildlife including baboons, springboks and ostriches. Again, the photographs are vastly superior - look out for evil photo intruders, who are now world famous thanks to Facebook and www.anthilder.co.uk:

Cape Point

I've been battling with homesickness as well the last couple of weeks. And of course I've not said anything, but I'm so looking forward to being back home now. Of course, where home will be is an interesting question. I've got three options, so really timescales are another consideration. There is also the small matter of employment, but i think God has spoken to me about that - in one of those "that's such a ludicrous idea its either totally ridiculous, or its you God." But I need to do some more musing on it. Its funny, this walk of faith thing. I'm finding more and more that God doesn't give us all the answers to all our questions. In fact, sometimes He doesn't give us any! I'm pondering the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:30-34, and I think I'm at the point where I'm happy not knowing all the facts. As long as I know the pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night go ahead of me then I can follow.

Anyhow, here is a list of things I intend to do when I get back to the UK:

• Get a hair-cut. I'm starting to resemble some of the indigenous primates
• Sleep in my own bed
• Drink a stupid amount of pure, fresh apple juice. Don't ask
• Watch Match Of The Day. Man, I've missed it.
• Read the whole of the Sunday papers one afternoon, then snooze afterwards
• Read the two issues of FourFourTwo that I've got through the post, but not read.
• Go to the best church in the world the first Sunday i'm back
• Visit all my friends, invite myself round for dinner with them and bore them with all my stories. And yes, even you Toby!
• Sit with my mum and show her all my photographs. No, she's not seen any of them, the poor woman.
• Take the dogs that I really don't like out for a walk in beautiful, peaceful, muddy, wet, glorious English woodland
• Smoke a cigar with a couple of friends
• Open all my post
• Eat saveloy and chips
• Buy some jeans and some shirts and have a wardrobe clear out

Its far from a conclusive list - so, dear readers, feel free to comment and add further suggestions!

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Now playing: Razorlight - In The City
via FoxyTunes

Survived!

Just a short note to let you know I am alive. And well - physically, at least. The rugby was disappointing, and I did cry myself to sleep. But that is between you and me, OK?

Since Sunday I've gone shopping in the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. It was beautiful. And yes, I did buy stuff. But I'm not telling you what any of it is...

I also went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for an afternoon with many people. We had a picnic for someones birthday. It was a beautiful setting, which my photo's don't do justice - I became obsessed with avian life running around the grounds, and forget about the trees, grasses and flowers. Still, if you like Guinea Fowl - the ugliest birds I've ever seen, next to vultures and certain girl-band members - and South African ducks (which are so much more healthier looking that their scrawny British cousins) then you'll enjoy the photo link below:

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

There is also the curious image of my friend riding a stone leopard in broad daylight. Yes, there was people around. Yes, we did get funny looks. No, I wasn't embarrassed. In one week, I'm coming home and will never see most of these anonymous bystanders ever again...

Last night we had a prayer meeting, which was a fantastic time, and very different to the agenda-driven styles of prayer meetings I've become accustomed to. There was no agenda and no prayer list - even though we all had needs and wants. We just worshipped. That was it. And we waited for the presence of God, who inevitably came. It was a powerful time, as God ministered us as we waited on Him. Inevitably, we started sharing words for one another, and one guy shared something so on the button, it was amazing. He summed up the last two years of my life, and everything that God has been saying to me about my future since I've been in South Africa. He didn't know any details past or present whatsoever, but God spoke so powerfully to me through him. Honestly, it was one of the best prayer meetings I've ever been to. And not just because of the prophetic word. I mean due to the sense of the presence of God, and His tangible love and kindness that just filled the room. Wow!

Tonight I'm going to something called Moya, which I am told is a buffet of traditional African meats and foods, eaten whilst watching a number of traditional African dancers perform. I'm sure it will be amazing, and you can be guaranteed I'll take more photographs.

Only one more week to go!

Currently listening to: Finley Quaye/William Orbit - Dice

Bad Planning

I'm watching the rugby tonight. In South Africa, yes. But I'm watching it with about a dozen or so hardcore rugby followers, who will all probably wear green and gold. Even the non-sport loving women. And there will be me, quietly in the corner chewing on an ostrich burger whilst willing Jason Robinson and Jonny Wilkinson to decimate the Springboks.

I'll do that in silence, of course.

South Africa's crime rate isn't the best in the world, and I fear that tonight I will find this out first hand. Either verbal abuse, should SA win, or physical abuse, should England perform their third miracle and defeat a top side. My patriotism is at war with my inbuilt survival instinct... what a wretched man I am, to totally quote Paul out of context.

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place; out of the frying pan and into the fire... and I'm now out of metaphors now that adequately convey my situation. Please take note of the song I'm listening to below. And pray for me. Even if you are an atheist, get on your knees and pray for me. And I'll try to check in if I've made it through the night.

I've just had a revelation. Some of my South African 'friends' might be reading this....
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Now playing: Self-Preservation Society - Michael Caine
via FoxyTunes

In Prison

I've just come back from prison - Pollsmoor Prison to be precise. I went in with a woman called Lisa to do some work with a group of young offenders inside the complex. The prison itself was surrounded by electrified barbed wire - and not just one fence, but three fences, all concentrically spaced. These fences were at least twelve foot all, and topped with razor wire.

The prisonhouse for young offenders houses inmates from the age of twelve to seventeen - upon reaching eighteen, they are transferred to the young adult house for eighteen to twenty-one year olds. The majority are imprisoned for petty theft, robbery and assault but some are inside for rape or murder. Some inmates are housed in solitary cells, but mostly they share communal cells that house between eight to twelve inmates - they have a foam mattress on a bunk bed each, and a solitary shower, toilet and wash basin between them all. This is where they will do all their washing, and personal hygiene.

The first group was made up of ten guys between twelve and sixteen. Seven of these were battling with drug addiction, and I saw at least four of them had gang tattoos on their arms, calves or shoulders. They were all very outgoing, friendly lads and we led them in a couple of icebreaker games. I taught them the Animal Game - which anyone from my old church will know - and they loved it! They were especially amused by my jellyfish impression, but that is something for another time...

Lisa shared a story from Jackie Pullinger's book 'Chasing The Dragon', about a Triad gangster who was an opium addict, and becomes a Christian through her work in Hong Kong. This had a lot of relevance to the guys, and it opened a discussion about hope. So many of them wanted to change, but were scared of falling back into old habits and addictions when they left prison. They were particularly interested in how this Chinese gangster became a Christian, and what that meant. I shared about the example of the thief on the cross next to Jesus - who, as a robber, probably was a violent murderer as well. But he looked to Jesus, and Jesus welcomed him into his presence. I wanted to share about how being a Christian isn't about going to church or reading the Bible, but is actually being a friend of God - and how God protects, cares and changes his sons.

I had the incredible privilege of praying one on one with four of the boys. I led one to a first time commitment to Christ, and the other three asked for God's help in changing their lives.

We moved onto another cell, which had about eighteen or so guys aged around sixteen. These guys were all part of a sport initiative, that uses football to teach them about God, and life. We got talking about football - English and South African - and they had many questions about life in England, and differences between our two countries. Before I knew it, I had a crowd around me all frantically asking me about English clothing, music, food, cars and countryside! Most of the guys in this cell have become Christians through this initiative, and have even had Lee Sharpe visit them for a game of football on their pitch!

I came away from the prison feeling privileged to have been exposed to what really is front line ministry. I've had it so easy in England - a bumpy Friday night with drunk teenagers is perhaps the ugliest I've seen life close up. Yet there are people and ministries who daily are visiting prisons, townships and refugee camps and putting themselves under personal risk. Of course, many of us can say we don't have those types of situations around us but if we can't support these things physically, perhaps we can support them in prayer or in finance?

So far in Africa, I feel like I've been exposed to the heart of God in a deeper way. Seeing what I saw today reminded me of the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:34-40. All through the Old Testament, we see the heart of God is for the widows, orphans and sojourners. I've been thinking about what this would mean for me back in the UK. Who are the widows, orphans and sojourners?

Of course, widows and orphans are on one level self-explanatory. Women and children left without a husband or father to protect, provide - and in the Biblical culture, to guarantee an inheritance. But this must have a wider application. Don't single mothers fall into this category? Don't also children from broken homes? And as for sojourners, who would travel from one country to another, is this not essentially what an refugee or asylum seeker is?

To be honest, I don't have any answers. I don't know many things. But I can't get away from the words of James 1:27 - "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

I had nothing to offer those boys in prison today - I may never see them ever again - but I can introduce them to the Father. And perhaps the first step in showing them the Father is by showing them the Father's Heart - through the acts of my hands.

Currently listening to: Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah

Time Out

The recent whirl of conferences and meetings seems to have settled down, which is great. I'd began to feel tired and wanting to be alone, which is always a sign that I've been doing much. I'm probably the most unsociable extrovert in the world. There is something beautiful about being able to switch off on a lazy Sunday afternoon and bury oneself into a Sunday newspaper. You know the ones, they have enough magazine inserts to clothe a rotund man, and although you never read half of them it doesn't matter. Because you know you could if you so desired. Life is all about options I think. Plus, the attachments are printed on that shiny, glossy, funny paper which makes them feel nice. Many an afternoon I've dozed off with my face flat on top of the sports section, and woken up an hour or so later with the text of the most recent London derby embossed on my cheek.

I am missing British newspapers, it must be said. I can get a weekly summary on a Tuesday, but it is from the Express. Enough said.

Last Sunday went well. I didn't know what to expect, but we had a good time praying for the morning on Saturday evening. After the pastor preached a sermon, he prayed for a couple of groups of people who responded to his word. God just broke in, and between me and him I think we must have prayed and prophesied over everybody in that church (its about 50, so not that big).

I noticed some interesting differences between how they do things, and how I've seen things modeled in Newfrontiers. Not necessarily better or worse, but just different. For starters, how they administrate the prophetic is very different. How they would weigh corporate and personal prophecy is done much more ad-hoc, and there is a greater openness to the things of the Spirit than I would say there is, in my experience, in the UK - even among Charismatic churches. I've noticed this before, and its got me thinking about what it means to truly be a people of word and Spirit.

Anyhow, I felt led to pray and prophesy, with the congregation joining in, for various categories of people in the church, including those with leadership calling, gifting or responsibility; anyone with any kind of prophetic inclination; the creative and worship teams; evangelistic people and lastly those with hearts for the poor and broken. I really felt God was imparting His heart to people at this time - it is interesting that this church has received, over the last five weeks or so, visits from a number of prophetic ministers.

We prayed for the pastor, and ended by worshiping as we took Communion. It's so important, whether we preach, prophesy, are charismatic or not, that we always honour Jesus first and foremost. Everything we do should be for Him, and to Him.

After the service, I was whisked away to this restaurant type place located on a wine farm. It was a surprise birthday buffet for the pastors mother, and many of the church were there. I have never seen so much food in all my life - every variety of cold meat, hot meat, vegetables (which I paid no attention to, of course) cakes, biscuits, sweets and fruit were available. All you can eat. And, for me, for free. Truly God does love me. After my second helping of Ginger Brulee, I could just about fit under the edge of the dinner table. As i was being driven home, along the Cape Town coastal road, I knew God truly loved me!

This week we've done a bit more sight seeing - we drove along the Cape Town mountain roads, circumventing the whole town and seeing stunning views looking down the mountains. We also came across various animals in their environments, of which I managed to get a few photos:

African Wildlife

Interestingly, we also came across a place where locals produce hand crafted sculptures, from wood or stone, to sell. I took some more snaps of these here:

African Sculptures

Tomorrow I could be going to prison - to visit prisoners, you understand! It is a local penitentiary for young men, and I will be doing some group work, interaction and mentoring for the morning alongside the more established Christian Prison Worker. Tonight, however, I'm going to a cell group with a church here - lets see what happens!

Currently listening to: Flat Stanley - As I Am from Between 2 Worlds

Easy Unacademic Apologetics

I'm a big fan of apologetics, probably because it appeals to the way my brain works. Apologetics, as you all know, is simply the art of responding to questions about matters of faith, using biblical and sometimes non-biblical facts to satisfy queries and questions. We can think of the things unbelievers ask, but if we are honest we all have questions of faith.

I know I do.

This means apologetics must also has a place to play in teaching and helping all of us who call ourselves believers, no matter how long we've been around, or how much we've read, studied or heard.

Anyhow, a lot of apologetics can seem very academic and complex. I came across a really good website the other day which clearly and simply looks at some of the big questions many people ask - whether believers or not.

Take a look at this website which is part of the website of Friends First church, a great church I spent a morning with one Sunday whilst in Cape Town. I hope you find it helpful!

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Now playing: Kathryn Scott - When I Survey (The Wondrous Cross)
via FoxyTunes

Worship Wars

I've been musing over the last couple of days about worship. I've been reading different opinions of people on what constitutes 'good' or acceptable worship, and what can be considered unacceptable or 'rubbish' worship. Of course, the debate has many angles and viewpoints, and interestingly a major focus seems to be regarding the style of music that is played during times of worship. I found this an interesting angle, so I figured that I would see what the Bible has to say about it. Of course, what that really means is what I think the Bible has to say. And I may well be wrong, but that's the beauty of me having my own blog. And you, dear reader, having the ability to comment or close it!

Let me start by following the first rule of any mature debate - defining terms. When I use the term 'worship', I will be referring to the act of using music to accompany heartfelt expression of gratitude and intimacy to God. This is deliberately broad, and you hopefully see why by the end!

Some people hold the opinion that rock music is inherently unsuitable for worship. Interestingly, I think Psalm 150 has a lot to say about this. Verse 4 talks about praising God with dance. As many of you know, dancing is not one of my strengths. I'd go as far to say that I have the spiritual gift of unrhythm! But irrespective of what I think, God loves people dancing in adoration for Him and to Him. The same verse says the same thing with regards to tambourines. Percussion instruments - wood blocks, bongo's and drum kits - are all beautiful to God when played for Him! Also in this verse are stringed instruments - so violins, cello's, sitars, banjo's and electric guitars are in too (the lute in verse 3 is basically a early, simple guitar). I love verse 5, and the word 'loud!' Whilst I love the meditative, contemplative, reflective times of worship, God likes it loud as well!

So from one Psalm, I can see that music style really is - dare I say it - irrelevant to God. So I need to be honest with myself and acknowledge that God doesn't consider my preferred indie guitar rock style of worship over any others. Yes, God loves operatic worship. Yes, God loves hip-hip style worship. And to show His incredible grace and patience, God even likes country and western style worship!

So worship isn't about me at all. It is about Him.

By imposing our personal preferences on worship times, we are really elevating our subjective cultural values over biblical values. This also has an element of danger to it - without Biblical authority, we run the risk of stating that our preferences and standards are God's preferences and standards. This is dangerously close to what the Pharisees were doing in Jesus day. As Christians we all know that God's standards must become our standards, and not vice versa.

The Bible doesn't tell us what music styles are in or out. This tells me that the nature of worship isn't the external musical style, but the internal heart of the matter.

Paul tells us through 1 Corinthians 10:31 that one of his chief concerns in matters of conduct was 'doing everything to the glory of God.' Surely the most important issue is whether the worship is glorifying God or not. Why can't piano's, or violins, or guitars, or synthesizers, or mixing decks, or sitars, or nose flutes be used to glorify God. If not, why not?

This also takes us onto another point, about culturally acceptable worship. The New Testament shows me that the biblical pattern for world mission and evangelism is primarily through the planting of churches in towns, cities and nations that then reach the population around them. By imposing a certain cultural way of worshipping on the universal church - that is, the historical worldwide church - then we are saying to African churches, and Chinese churches, and Maori churches, and Native American churches, and non-English speaking churches, that they must adopt and adapt to things that are not Biblical, but are merely man made?

We need to hold what theologians would call an eschatological view of worship. This means we look forward to what the Bible shows us about worship in Heaven. As Christians, we are those who are called and commissioned to be those who bring Heaven to Earth- in terms of holiness, healing the broken, helping the poor among others. This is the message Jesus was proclaiming when he said the Kingdom was near. He meant the Kingdom of God, and His ministry was to take the Kingdom to those who were not part of it. But back to worship - what does worship look like in Heaven?

Revelation tells us that God wants worshippers from every tongue, every tribe and every nation, who will worship Him forever. Does this mean that we will sing only one music style in Heaven? Does this not show us that God has a broader, wider, more 'global' view of worship?

For the record, I do like hymns. They contain a depth of meaning and doctrine that is sometimes lacking in some more modern songs. However, songwriters like Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Stuart Townend cannot be accused of writing unbiblical songs. Take some time pondering over the Townend song 'In Christ Alone' to see one example of what I mean.

Whilst I refer to hymns, it is an interesting side point to acknowledge that many hymns actually consist of popular 'secular' tunes of the day, with changed words. The writers did this to teach illiterate people doctrine and theology, because they wouldn't be able to read the Bible for themselves. This does not lessen the words, but shows that the music is secondary to the heartstrings it woos.

I think, in this whole debate, that the words of 1 Samuel 16:7 challenge us. We - I - so often look at the appearances of things, but God looks at the heart. Romans 1:20 tells us that we learn about God from the things that have been made. When I look at the world around us, I see a God who is creative, imaginative and artistic. He loves diversity, He loves variety. He loves creating. It reminds me of when He made man and woman - whom He says He made in His own image. When we decide on God's behalf, without His say, what is acceptable and unacceptable to Him, I wonder if we have cross a line. I wonder if we move into a place where we cease to be in His image, and begin to make Him in our image.

Conferencing It

I attended a conference this weekend on the prophetic which was an incredible time. About 100 delegates gathered for worship, teaching and prayer on Saturday with two speakers - Julian Adams and a guy called Richard Maybury who leads a church in Cape Town. Richard had been out in Toronto at a prophetic conference there with people such as Bill Johnson and John Arnott, and had only arrived back in Cape Town at 5am! With two teaching sessions to do in the morning, he had an unenviable task.

Right from the start, the presence of God was evident in worship and through out the day, God did some amazing things in many lives. A number of people were healed, including a number of spinal issues. One woman who had curvature of the spine was unable to touch her toes, and after being prayed for could bend down to do so for the first time. Another woman had one leg longer than the other as a result of a displaced hip, and as she was prayed for her leg grew visibly a couple of inches to the same length as the other! Other people told about healings from hearing complaints, arthritic joints and one woman who hadn't slept a whole night for a number of years recieved prayer for sleeplessness. She told us on Sunday morning she had slept through the night for the first time in a long while. Her family, who knew her and her sleeping issues, were present and confirmed her story.

The conference teaching included talks on such topics as Hearing God Speak, Intimacy with The Holy Spirit, Faith, The Glory Of God and Growing In The Prophetic. All with good, solid biblical teaching I was spoilt that day! However, as well as just information there was impartation as well - we prayed and worshipped continually throughout the day, and the tangible presence of God never left us. As part of the ministry team, I got the opurtunity to pray for and prophesy over a number of people, which was an amazing priviliege as I saw God touch them and speak to them so intimately.

Richard prayed and propheised over me at one point in the afternoon, and although he doesn't know me or anything about me, said many things that are totally spot on with my life over recent years. He also shared what he felt God was saying for the future which was very exciting, and challenging at the same time. It was beautiful to see God speaking so tenderly and so lovingly to so many people throughout the day. Many people testified that they felt God met them, and shaped their hearts a little bit more to be like Jesus. As this is always what we aim for, it summed up a good day for me.

My good day got all the more sweeter when I heard about an incredible miracle that had taken place. England had beaten Australia in the rugby! All in all a good day, albeit a long one - the final meeting didn't finish until about 11pm!

Sunday I attended a church of a pastor friends of Julian which is about 50 strong, and spent the afternoon watching the rugby with some friends. In the evening, I accompanied Julian to a white afrikaans pentecostal church which was an experience! During the service God I had a couple of words for the pastor of the church we'd spent the morning with, and his cousin who was with us. After the service, they both encouraged me by telling me that what I'd shared with them had been exactly the same thing other people had said to them on other occasions, that I couldn't possibly have known about. As a result, over a steak sandwich the pastor invited me to come to his church this coming Sunday to minister prophetically to them! So it appears this Sunday morning, God has got something He wants me to do!

Fishy Going's On

Yesterday was a lazy day. I needed to do some thinking and pondering, so took some time out. With all the recent goings on, I have so much information coming my way that I need to digest it. I'd also began to get a bit concerned with some things that I had noticed about myself, and just general observations. Anyhow, I did what I normally do - stew about it for a while, put on a brave face whilst internalising it, then when it begins to get too much only then do I finally take it to God and talk to Him Who Knows All Things Anyhow!

The afternoon rushed by as I did some study, some reading and had a power nap. I was going to a home group of one of the Newfrontiers churches here in Cape Town, so beautified myself for that. Interestingly, they were watching the film 'One Night With The King' which is about the story of Esther from the Old Testament. It has some well known actors in it including Omar Sharif, Peter O'Toole and John Rhys-Davies. It also stars Luke Goss of Bros fame. You know, Bros from the 80s. Bros of boy band twins fame. Bros of 'we kinda look like a younger version of Right Said Fred.' Bros of theme tune 'When Will I Be Famous' fame. Judging from Mr Goss' performance, the question isn't 'when will I be famous' but more 'how on earth am I be famous?'

The scenery is stunning in the film, and the costumes really capture the pomp and glory of how I imagine the Persian Empire was. Shame that the acting is so wooden, it seems like I'm staring at a Homeware furniture display. Unfortunately, the insistence of the director to play a loud and dramatic orchestral score isn't quite loud enough to drown out the actors insistence to shout their lines in a manly, 'warrior-like' way. Yes, even Queen Esther.

Apart from that, its a pleasant film about love and... stuff.

After the film, we prayed together for different pastoral needs of people in the group. This turned into a time of prophetic encouragements for many of us, with different people sharing. Funnily enough, two people in the group had words for me - the first word confirmed something that had been said to me in Johannesburg, and the second word basically was everything I prayed during my talk with God earlier in the day - but with God answering me! It was a great time for us all.

I met some great people that evening, including a Greek couple who have invited me to their summer house early next week that overlooks a bay that is a breeding and meeting ground for whales! And I was invited to a formal dinner and dance this weekend as well by someone, although I am at a conference so I cannot attend, alas.

On the way home I popped into McDonald's to grab a snack and ended up talking to the manager. It turned out he is an evangelist at a local Pentecostal church, so invited me to some of his meetings that he is leading! And he also had a word for me, right outside McDonald's Cape Town drive-through!

Anyway, today I've been to Cape Town Aquarium which had a combination of creatures from both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean's. I've taken millions of photo's, which the links are as follows for you non-Facebook philistines:

Fish

Fish 2

Turtles

Sharks

Birds

Other Marine stuff

You can see from the photos it was incredible. We went for a late lunch, and I enjoyed Kingklip (which is a fish) covered in lemon and parsley butter, on a bed of minted mash. It was beautiful. I topped it off with an ice-cream - one scoop of honeycomb, one scoop of turkish delight flavour on a cone. Never have I felt so elated and content with my life. Ah, small things for small minds...

I'm out for dinner tonight with a couple of friends I've met here, who are going to cook me curry! They own the Mini Cooper sports convertible I wrote about earlier than we drove around the coastal mountain roads when I first got here. Food seems to play a big part here....
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Prophetic Workshop Notes

Just a quick one - the teaching notes for the Prophetic Workshop discussed recently are available for download here. They might be helpful for anyone who wants to know more, or wants to grow in the prophetic gifts.

The seminar was held by Julian Adams, who is the guy I'm in South Africa with. All credit goes to him for the notes, please don't change without his express permission blah blah blah.

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