Olifantsfontein Thronewater English Church Services

21/08/2022

Wonderful service today on Nehemiah: Hope in Action

17/01/2022

There is a template for personal tranformation. Embedded in the culture, your own inner cultural landscape of habits and disciplines. The Word, Truth and Good, is brought upon the culture, yours first and those around you. Both happen at the same time.
It is a function of knowing and being immersed in what is beyond your enclave.

For societal benevolent transformation. It starts at Pentecost (Acts 1:8). Jerusalem - the known language, culture, geography; provides a platform to venture into the unknown (chaos). Of a new adjacent geography, a proxy for the world of your neighbour, precinct, town, province, country(Judea), to Samaria (a new culture, language probably, and geography). It happens concurrently.

It is a slow process and happens one conversation at a time. With the foreign territories in oneself. Those places of the unknown in your own personhood. It is a strategy for personal growth and one for societal engagement- to be transformed, a better version of yourself than yesterday (Peterson)

Small groups form the platform of jaw-jaw diplomacy and not war-war. As was illustrated in the nuclear crisis of world powers in this century preventing another world war.

05/12/2021

The Christmas Tree – Vacuum Cleaned

No tree it is said can grow to heaven, unless its roots reach down to hell – CG Jung

What has the (Christmas) tree to do with spirituality?

It seems to be steeped in mythology – In both pagan and Christian spirituality
• The feast of the upcoming sun (Saturn) – the turn of the season, transitioning from winter into summer. To bring a green tree into the house as a sign of renewed growth.
• Of light overcoming darkness
• The tree connected earth with heaven – this ‘down here” to that “up there”
• Trees were frequently used by Celtic priests in ritual practices
• Another tradition of dragging the biggest tree from the forest, and kept alive for twelve days (the 12-days of Christmas)
• In Anglo-Saxon, Yule (“Yole”) means December – hence “Yuletide”.
• A “Yule log” is the log that is kept burning.
• “Yule Cakes” are made in the shape of a baby bed (cradle) – ironic
• According to an internet source, the earliest Christmas celebration with a tree, was celebrated in 1541 in Elsas, a German region. A shocked Lutheran pastor supposedly called out: “they should rather look to the true tree of life, Christ”

The point seems to be, that there is more to the(a) tree – it seems to be steeped in and drenched with spiritual density across the development of civilizations

What has the Tree to do with God and Christ?

Tracing it physically and metaphorically through the Biblical narrative – it is breathtakingly beautiful to see the multiple layers. As if all history is vacuum cleaned (Jordan Peterson) through the Biblical story and provided with a new narrative – the birth of the Hero and heroic on Christmas
• Genesis 2 – The Tree of Life in the center of Eden, sprouting up from the ground. God’s Presence, physically manifesting, is ever-growing. As if to connect heaven and earth. God living amongst man in communion.
• Genesis 28 – Jacob’s dream and the ladder (probably or metaphorically from wood). At a crossroad moment for Jacob. Angels communing up and down the ladder. And God standing beside him with a multigenerational blessing (backward and forward) – And his exclamation – God is here, and I did not know (realize) it.
• Christ’s birth in a manger/cradle of humankind – probably one of those wooded trellis-like feeding mechanisms for the animals. As if Christ emerges, is born from within this Tree of Life – moving towards us. God being born in our midst – the Tree of Life from a tree of life in the manger At a moment of darkness, persecution, turmoil, poverty, and with a death sentence hovering over the firstborn.
• The wisdom literature of Proverbs abounds with physical and metaphorical references to the (a) tree (3:18, 11:30; 13:12; 15:4)
• And obviously, the tree of crucifixion – mediating between heaven and hell. The arrow goes through the mother’s heart. Giving her son away to death. What a terrible and huge burden to carry for a mother. How terrible and both breathtaking, for God to sacrifice Himself through his only Son. To bring heaven to earth. Hope amidst despair. Life in the face of death. Life despite death – both living together in a moment of time and extending through the existence of humanity.
• And the heroic climax in the book of Revelation (2:7; 22:2,14,19). “To those who are victorious, I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” Paradise lost and Paradise found (again). The first and last chapters of the biblical narrative.

What has the tree to do with life – and Christmas? – a rudimentary Jungian abstraction

"No tree it is said can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell" – This sentence was written by the Swiss psychologist and historian of religion, Carl Gustav Jung. It appears in chapter 5 of a book by Jung, titled Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. This book was written in 1951, originally in German.
“The double meaning of this movement lies in the nature of the pendulum. Christ is without spot, but right at the beginning of his career there occurs the encounter with Satan, the Adversary, who represents the counterpole of that tremendous tension in the world psyche which Christ's advent signified.

Technically, probably diluted in terms of the complexity of Jung’s thinking, it seems that:
• Good and evil co-exist and are part of the enculturation of civilization. The line between Cain and Abel is a very thin permeable membrane that runs through each of us
• It means you have to recognize the evil you're capable of before you can truly be good. You've got to visit the most hellish parts of yourself - the hidden parts you'd like to tuck away forever - in order to right yourself and reach higher up to your ideals. In essence, heaven.
• The birth of Christ exemplifies the coexistence of both life and death, good and evil, darkness and light – both. The reality of Christmas in this context is to understand the challenge that the Christmas Tree presents.
• Darkness and light both belong to Christmas – and in many cases it is a season of the battles with our darkness, having more time at hand, being confronted with the relational tensions, the pathology in every family, and the immense suffering of humanity and our own – to hold both

It is a ray of hope that the Baby conquered all. Little by little. Christ is born not to save us primarily - that is a consequence, but to be amongst us through dark and light. Through good and evil - in others and in ourselves. What Grace!

All in the Christmas Tree!

28/11/2021

God comes to you and to creation disguised as a messenger in song. Nahum 1:15, Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 9:9
1. For those who oppress the poor and vulnerable - it is avenge and full destruction - "I have a particular skillset acquired over many years and I am coming for you - when I find you, I will kill you..." (Liam Neeson, Taken).
2. For those he loves – he seeks them, finds them, it is the birth of a new day. I beautiful song of freedom, intimacy, love, hope in new beginning

See the comments for an elaboration

22/11/2021

Age like Honey

Wysheid in die Grysheid - Die kewer en die by - Alles het ‘n sell-by date en ‘n best before datum. Intussen is daar is nog werk om te doen

1. Goeie wyn word beter met tyd, maar asyn as dit nie gebruik word nie - dan bly net die herhinneringe en leef ons in die verlede
- Dit is ook goed vir elke seisoen van mens se lewe, maar daar is meer
2. Melk gaan af, word dikmelk en yoghurt dalk, en self goeie kaas
- Dit is ook goed vir elke seisoen, maar die nuttigheid hou op tensy…
3. Die kewer en die by - Beide is nuttig op die plek waar hulle ‘n verskil maak.

Maar die beste is: Word groot en oud soos heuning. Dit kos ‘n prys maar hou vir altyd en word nooit sleg nie.
Wysheid in die Grysheid – Is jy ‘n kewer of ‘n by – Kies!
Video: Heuning en die Kewer – Indringers of Werkers

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7 Tekste oor Gootword, Oudword, Meerword en drie illustraties

Wysheid in die Grysheid – Is jy ‘n kewer of ‘n by – Kies!
Video: Heuning en die Kewer – Indringers of Werkers
There is a common belief that we gradually become less useful as we grow older. That this world is made for the young. Perhaps that is so. But we are not of this world. When we live our lives for God, our journey here does not end until we take our final breath. Noah, Moses, Abraham-some of our greatest biblical examples-all went on some of their greatest adventures at a time when most would be settling into retirement. Should you be finding yourself feeling a little bit forgotten, overlooked, unappreciated…take care to remember that God will use you at any age, and any stage. There is no age limit to the way He works, and His is a love that never grows old.
Bob Buford: Halftime – Never too late, can happen where you choose – Success to Significance. Seisoene – Watter seisoen is ‘n keuse
Illustration:
Best Before & Sell by date –
• Yoghurt is melk wat verby sell-by date verby is – daar is nog groot nut na Best Before
• Goeie Wyn – Word net Beter met ouderdom – Daar is nog werk
• Heuning – Moet ek die bottels sanitiseer – nee die heuning doen dit, heuningsalf vir wonde. Mens kry ook vals heuing

1. Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Grysheid is 'n sierlike kroon; dit word gevind op die weg van geregtigheid – 1953
Iemand wat lewenslank naby aan die Here geleef het, se oudag is mooi – Die Boodskap

2. Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Vandat jy gebore is, het Ek vir jou gesorg. Toe jy ’n babatjie was, het Ek jou in my arms rondgedra. 4 Selfs al word jy oud, sal Ek nog daar wees. Ek sal vir jou sorg tot jy grys is. – Boodskap
3 Luister na My, o huis van Jakob en die hele oorblyfsel van die huis van Israel, julle wat deur My Ps. 22:10; 71:6 gedra is van die moederskoot af, opgeneem is van die geboorte af; 4 en tot die ouderdom toe Jes. 52:6; Ps. 102:27,28 is Ék dieselfde, ja, tot die grysheid toe sal Ek julle dra; Ék het dit gedoen, en Ék sal julle opneem, en Ék sal dra en red. – 1953
In the younger years, when lots of life’s biggest decisions are being made, it is easy to seek God’s guidance and assistance. But it is important to remember that He cares about every day of your life. He will carry you when you are too young to know you need it, and when you are too old to walk on your own. His sustaining love is forever.

3. Job 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
By die grysaards is wysheid, en in lengte van dae is verstand. – 1953
Ouer mense het baie kennis en insig. Mense wat lang lewenservaring het, verstaan dinge baie goed. – Boodskap

Some life lessons come in an instant, and others must be learned from years of experience and growth. The older we grow, the more we learn about kindness, patience, heartbreak, love , and mercy. All of these experiences lead us to a deeper understanding of life’s seasons, and a greater wisdom of God’s presence through them all.

4. Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you
D**k aan die dae lank verby, onthou die jare van die voorgeslagte. Vra jou pa dat hy jou vertel, jou oumense dat hulle jou dit sê. 8Toe die Allerhoogste vir die nasies hulle besittings gegee het…
All generations have been entrusted with different lessons based upon the time they lived. There is much to be learned from those that have gone before us. God places people in our lives who can teach us these lessons- parents, grandparents, church elders-and they can explain so much about God. We just have to take the time and consideration to ask for help.

5. 1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Die ouderlinge wat goeie leiding gee, behoort dubbele erkenning te kry, veral dié wat hard werk deur te preek en onderrig te gee – 1953
Die gemeente moet vir die leiers in die gemeente wat mooi na die sake van die gemeente kyk behoorlik dankie sê, veral as hulle vir ander van die Here vertel en hulle help om al hoe meer van God se dinge te verstaan. Hulle moet hulle selfs betaal. – Die Boodskap
Those who have devoted many years to serving the church, and proclaiming Christ’s message, are worthy of respect and honor. They have spent time pouring themselves out, preaching and teaching others what they, through time and experience, have learned. We honor their commitment to their church community, as well as their commitment to serving God.

6. Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Moet my tog nie verwerp nou dat ek oud geword het nie, moet my tog nie alleen laat nou dat my kragte ingegee het nie. 10 My vyande sweer saam teen my, dié wat my lewe soek, smee 'n komplot teen my. – 1983
Here, moenie u rug vir my draai noudat ek oud geword het nie! Moet my nie alleen los noudat ek swak is nie. 10 Help my asseblief, want hulle wat my nie liefhet nie, hou my fyn dop. Hulle wil my doodmaak. 11 Hulle skinder agter my rug en sê: “God het hom verlaat.
I believe this may be the prayer of many. Asking God to stay beside them, to remember them, throughout their lives. We live long enough to see God’s mightiness in many ways, and ache at the thought of someone not getting that chance. We hope that we can help others to know Him, as we have known Him. Once you know love like that, you just want to spread it out.

7. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Wat my betref, ek word alreeds as drankoffer uitgegiet. Die tyd van my dood is voor die deur. 7 Ek het die goeie wedloop afgelê; ek het die wenstreep bereik; ek het gelowig end-uit volgehou. 8Nou wag die oorwinnaarskroon vir my, die lewe by God. Op die dag dat Hy weer kom, sal die Here, die regverdige Regter, dit vir my gee, en nie net vir my nie, maar ook vir almal wat met verlange uitsien na sy koms. – 1983
As jy die lewe met ’n wedloop kan vergelyk, kan jy sê dat ek daardie wedloop goed gehardloop het. Ek het dit klaargemaak en tot aan die einde het ek op God bly vertrou. Ek het ’n prys vir die wedloop gewen.
8God sal vir my die prys gee wat sal sê dat my saak met Hom heeltemal reg is. Wanneer God besluit om die prysuitdeling te hou, sal die Here, wat die pryse regverdig sal uitdeel, vir my my prys gee. – Die Boodskap
No one ever said that following Jesus would be easy. Daily, believers lose, struggle with, and abandon their faith. The ones who thought they were signing up for a breezy sprint are shocked when they discover that this race is long distance. Upon making this discovery, there are two options: Give up when you get past the easy part, or dig deep and continue on. The finish line may seem so very far away, but for those who have stayed in the race? They will be rewarded with a crown, and allowed to rest forevermore.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967
Conclusion

There is a common belief that we gradually become less useful as we grow older. That this world is made for the young. Perhaps that is so. But we are not of this world. When we live our lives for God, our journey here does not end until we take our final breath. Noah, Moses, Abraham-some of our greatest biblical examples-all went on some of their greatest adventures at a time when most would be settling into retirement. Should you be finding yourself feeling a little bit forgotten, overlooked, unappreciated…take care to remember that God will use you at any age, and any stage. There is no age limit to the way He works, and His is a love that never grows old.
Want to know how to age gracefully? Do it with the Lord by your side. Every day we live is an opportunity to know Him more. The most exciting part is that God never ages. He remains the same beautiful, layered, complex, simple, exciting, peaceful, wild presence that he has always been. Worried about growing older?
Shift your focus to learning more of Jesus every day, and watch all of the ways you’ll begin to feel young again. God’s love for us at every stage of our lives. Do what is at hand!

Grow old as Honey

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman,
1955-1967

05/11/2021

Hartseer ja! Hoe gemaak om ‘n gemeente se pyporrel te koop aan te bied?
Hier is die orrel van Olifantsfontein. Die spesifikasies en vervangingswaarde. Bel vir Antoinette indien julle belangstel +27 (82) 374-1567 of [email protected] ; [email protected]

05/09/2021

God’s Glory in Each Person

Just a 10 minute clip for sunday school study

05/08/2021

Welcome back! We appreciate your interest. Would love to see your likes and comments.
At Olifantsfontein Community Church - Olifantsfontein DRC Congregation, we are pursuing a big dream.
We are the aging remnant of the first congregation started by Beyers Naude in 1949, we want to serve in a fresh transcultural way as prototype of an authentic New Testament caring community.

01/08/2021

Two stories and three lies - God’s love is Blind, Beyond Space and Time

The first story – From the movie Rudy

This teenager lived with his family – no one believed in him… but he had a dream.
Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was absent… still believing three lies.
Rudy triumphs over and trumps all of this. Becomes a hero!
He had to break through three lies that determines your/our identity:
You are:
What you do (you are too small),
What you have (we are simple people, factory workers and not rich),
What others say about you (you should not dream beyond the reality that others make you believe)

His family is at the final game. He proves them right. That their reality is true, but it is not his reality.

We know that believing these lies are only part of the story of who we are and what our identity is:
You are not:
What you do - your powerful position
What you have - your wealth and health
What others say about - your beautiful manicured social media presence

Why?

The second story - Another Father another Kid

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there.

He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday.

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful team-mate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in."

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose.

His team-mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"

He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know
that my dad was blind?"
The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile,
"Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"

This is the almost the story of the Lost son between the pigs. What if I go home to my father with nothing to show?
This second story is one of the benevolent Father who has an everlasting love - blind to the three lies we believe about our Him or our identity.
God’s love is beyond space and time, Unseen, benevolent

So, remember right now: I have loved you with an eternal love, and have drawn you with lovingkindness, an everlasting love. Not because of what you do, or what you have or what others say about you (Jeremiah 31:3)

So, this is the reprogramming. It is yours:
Somebody is very proud of you
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody is caring about you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to talk to you.
Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody hopes you are not in trouble.
Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
Somebody wants to hold your hand.
Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
Somebody wants you to be happy.
Somebody want you to find him or her.
Somebody wants to give you a gift.
Somebody wants to hug you.
Somebody thinks you ARE a gift.
Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody wants to protect you.
Somebody can't wait to see you.
Somebody loves you for who you are.
Somebody treasures your spirit.
Somebody is glad that you are their friend.
Somebody wants to get to know you better.
Somebody wants to be near you.
Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
Somebody would do anything for you.
Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
Somebody is alive because of you.
Somebody needs your support.
Somebody will cry when they read this.
Somebody needs you to have faith in them.
Somebody trusts you.
Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.
Somebody needs you to send this to them

https://youtu.be/KLTu1xv2-Us

18/07/2021

It is Group Grace that saves the Desperate Breathing.
Life that is Done requires contemplation AND action - Lazarus is alive from the dead,
But we need to untie the clothes of death. John 11:44
And ‘father’ others to maturity by being a caring community 1 John 12:12-14. That is ours!

11/07/2021

Hoop op ‘n Klipkussing – Jeremy Foster
Genesis 28 - Jakob se vlug en ontmoeting op ‘n harde klip

1. Wees eerlik wanneer jou kop op ‘n klip is – 28:10
2. God is daar al lyk dit nie so nie – 28:11
3. God gee vir jou ‘n belofte daar in die benoudheid – 28:16
4. Op die klipkussing is jy in die huis van God – in ‘n innige samesyn
5. In daardie oomblik is die hemele oop en in jou stilte is God aan die werk
6. Doen drie dinge – 28:18
a. Maak van die probleem ‘n pilaar
b. Gooi olie op die klip – wy die probleem aan die Here toe
c. Verander die naam van die verhaal – Sing ‘n Halleluja

God is in my draaiwêreld met innigheid

I was performing on the street a violin cover of "Warrior" (original by Demi Lovato). Suddenly the boy came and started dancing with me and he kissed me in t...

23/06/2021

On Friday 4 June we celebrated the Olifantsfontein Community Church’s birthday